Yoweri Museveni, the President of Uganda, has begged Kenyans for “forgiveness” after his son, a senior military officer, advocated invading Kenya in a series of tweets.
His apology came just one day after he fired his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as head of the army’s land troops, according to the BBC.
In an attempt at damage-control, President Museveni on Wednesday, October 5, said he had spoken to Kenya’s President William Ruto, and he was “very sorry” about his son’s tweets.
“I ask our Kenyan brothers and sisters to forgive us for tweets sent by General Muhoozi, former Commander of Land Forces here, regarding the election matters in that great country.
“It is not correct for Public officers, be they civilian or military, to comment or interfere in any way, in the internal affairs of brother countries,” Mr Museveni said.
He added that despite his son’s “mistake”, he had promoted him to the rank of full general because he could still make “many positive contributions”.
“I know for a fact that General Muhoozi is a passionate Pan-Africanist,” Museveni said.
President Museveni’s son is known for his controversial tweets, including expressing support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and support of Tigrayan rebels fighting the Ethiopian government.
He also tweeted that he would give 100 cattle as a bride price – to Italy’s incoming far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for being “fearless and true”.
“I know Europeans give girls they like flowers? I have never understood it. In our culture you give a girl you like a cow,” he added.
