by Nurat Uthman
The chief of Uganda’s defense forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has given U.S. Ambassador William Popp until Monday morning to apologize or leave the country.
It is not clear why Kainerugaba, who is President Yoweri Museveni’s son, issued the ultimatum to the ambassador, although this week the United States sanctioned four Ugandan police officers for human rights violations.
On Friday, Kainerugaba took to X three times to say Uganda was about to have a serious confrontation with Popp for “disrespecting our beloved and celebrated president and for undermining the constitution of Uganda.”
Five hours later, Kainerugaba tweeted again, saying if Popp did not apologize to the president personally by 9 a.m. Monday for what the general called Popp’s undiplomatic behavior, the government would demand that he leave.
Speaking to VOA, Sewanyana Livingstone, director of the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative Uganda, said Kainerugaba has no authority to declare Popp persona non grata unless he is appointed minister of foreign affairs.
Sewanyana said Kainerugaba’s comments should be dismissed.
“He needs to calm down. He needs to understand that Uganda is not him, neither is he Uganda,” Sewanyana said. “Uganda will always be there. Sanctions are not the functions of an ambassador. They are issued by the State Department. So, I think he is even targeting the wrong person. I think Ugandans need to call him to order. It’s high time.”
On Wednesday, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said four Ugandan police officers had been sanctioned for gross violations of human rights. These included torture and cruel inhumane treatment and punishment.
The police officers were identified as Bob Kagarura, Alex Mwine, Elly Womanya and Hamdani Twesigye.
The State Department said reports of the violations as documented by Ugandan civil court documents, civil society organizations and independent journalists were serious and credible.
Ugandan authorities did not respond to requests for comment.
