Kampala, Uganda – Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Senior Presidential Advisor on Defense and Security, has once again found his official X (formerly Twitter) account deactivated, just 24 hours after his return to the platform. This marks the third time that the account has vanished in recent months, sparking speculation about the reasons behind the sudden disappearance.
On January 16, 2025, Gen Muhoozi, who had earlier announced his return to X on January 11, 2025, after a six-day hiatus, saw his account go offline again. Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Chief of Defense Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s X account was confirmed to have been deactivated by Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, Uganda’s State Minister for Gender, Labour, and Social Development, who took to the platform to express his disappointment.
In his statement, Ateenyi alleged that the account had been hijacked by “haters” but emphasized the unwavering loyalty of Muhoozi’s supporters. “We’ll deeply miss our supreme leader, Gen @mkainerugaba, as our favorite X account faces a suspected hijack by haters. But their malicious actions won’t dampen our love and determination to stand by him forever. Our loyalty and admiration for Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba remain unwavering. We love Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba for life,” Ateenyi wrote.
Gen Muhoozi’s brief return to X on January 11 followed his announcement on January 10, when he stated that, under the guidance of his faith, he was leaving social media to focus on his role in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). He had thanked his followers for their support over the years but made it clear that he was heeding a higher calling to serve the country.
However, in his return tweet on January 11, Gen Muhoozi made a series of statements that quickly attracted attention and controversy. One of his first tweets after returning was an explosive remark about Uganda’s political situation, including a threat to arrest Members of Parliament who had supposedly summoned him. “After arresting all the fools in Parliament, I will invite them for a discussion. If anyone even coughs in a wrong way, I will ARREST him or her on the spot,” he tweeted.
Additionally, Gen Muhoozi continued to issue strong statements, including targeting opposition figures. One particularly controversial tweet stated that former presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye would be executed, calling for him to be hanged on Heroes’ Day. This sparked outrage on social media, particularly among opposition leaders and activists, who condemned the threat as inflammatory and dangerous.
Muhoozi’s account was deactivated once more on January 17, leaving many to speculate about the reasons behind the sudden removal. Whether it was due to the controversial nature of his posts or technical issues remains unclear. This marks the third time that Gen Muhoozi’s account has vanished unexpectedly, leaving his supporters and critics alike in suspense.
The deactivation of Gen Muhoozi’s X account has left many questions unanswered. His controversial remarks and the subsequent disappearance of his account have once again captured public attention, raising concerns over the freedom of expression and the role of social media in Uganda’s political landscape. As Ugandans await further developments, it remains to be seen when and how Gen Muhoozi will reappear online or whether his social media presence is effectively over.