Why Does Muhoozi Museveni Tweet at Night and Delete in the Morning?

Muhoozi Museveni, the Commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, has once again stirred political controversy with his sensational tweets. The latest uproar involved his childish threats to invade Khartoum, forcing his government to apologize to Sudan and assert that Muhoozi represents only himself, effectively stripping him of any official capacity.

Despite deleting his initial tweet threatening to invade Khartoum, in which he said, “We are just waiting for our colleague Donald Trump to become President of the United States, and with his support, we will take over Sudan’s capital,” Muhoozi later posted another tweet on Platform X. This time, he declared, “If my father ordered us to take Khartoum, we would do so tomorrow.” This statement sparked widespread backlash, fueling perceptions of his erratic behavior and dragging Uganda into yet another diplomatic crisis.

In December 2020, just days after being reappointed as the commander of the border guard forces, Muhoozi issued a series of tweets attacking opposition politician Bobi Wine. Many Ugandans interpreted these tweets as tribalist rhetoric, forcing Muhoozi to apologize. Critics also raised concerns about his political interventions, which encroach upon roles typically reserved for civilian diplomats, arguing they breach the code of conduct for Ugandan defense forces.

Muhoozi has a history of controversial tweets. During the early days of the Russia-Ukraine war, he voiced support for Russia’s invasion, calling President Vladimir Putin “absolutely right.” He also praised former U.S. President Donald Trump, describing him as “the only white man I have ever respected.” In October 2022, he caused a stir by offering 100 cows as a public bridal gift for Italy’s then-Prime Minister-elect Giorgia Meloni, even threatening to invade Rome if the offer was rejected.

That same month, he created a diplomatic rift with Kenya by threatening to invade and occupy Nairobi. His father was compelled to issue a public apology for this aggressive behavior. Most recently, the Democratic Republic of Congo summoned Uganda’s acting ambassador over statements made by Muhoozi regarding Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and alleged foreign mercenaries in eastern Congo.

Once known for his stoic military demeanor, Muhoozi has seemingly found a new outlet in social media. Dubbed the “Tweeting General,” he uses Platform X to post impulsive comments on politics, economics, culture, and international issues, with little regard for diplomatic decorum. He frequently praises his father and describes the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces as “the greatest army in the world.” However, his government finds his tweets increasingly problematic, especially as his father eyes a seventh presidential term amid growing domestic opposition.

Allegations of brutality also follow Muhoozi, with opposition leader Bobi Wine accusing him of using security forces to intimidate, detain, or torture political dissidents. However, it is Muhoozi’s provocative tweets that most frustrate Uganda’s government. Despite widespread criticism, he remains defiant, once remarking, “I heard a Kenyan journalist asked my father to stop me from using Twitter. Is that a joke? I am an adult, and no one will stop me from using anything.” Rumors of alcohol abuse further compound his erratic behavior, as his intoxicated tweets have been criticized as unbecoming for his position. While the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces code of conduct penalizes drunken behavior with up to seven years in prison, no military court has yet addressed Muhoozi’s alleged misconduct.

Muhoozi appears indifferent to the consequences of his inflammatory tweets. Even after deactivating his account for five days, he reactivated it, tweeting, “Do not fear, my followers and supporters. I am back. I had to make some decisions.” However, his decision-making remains unclear. His provocative comments, such as his recent remarks about Sudan, suggest a calculated strategy to antagonize foreign leaders and nations, often clashing with Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Critics accuse Muhoozi of turning the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces into a mercenary operation to destabilize African nations. His forces have reportedly faced defeats against cattle rustlers in Karamoja and struggled with prolonged conflict against the Lord’s Resistance Army. Domestically, his threats to bring “hell” upon cattle thieves reflect his aggressive rhetoric, which extends beyond Uganda’s borders.

For public figures like Muhoozi, who tweet and delete, explanations often revolve around miscalculated reactions or post-tweet regret. Given Muhoozi’s political and military status, every tweet is immediately archived. The deletions could reflect his realization of backlash or regret for his drunken postings. Some suggest he seeks to build a mercenary army to pursue illicit activities beyond Uganda’s borders, motivated by personal gain.

His controversial tweets about Sudan may also stem from Uganda’s alleged involvement in supporting Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Uganda was the first African country to host RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) after his escape from Khartoum. Whether Muhoozi’s actions reflect drunken missteps or deliberate provocations, they underscore his reckless disregard for Uganda’s international standing and his father’s attempts to maintain political stability.