Uganda Army Chief Expresses Fatigue Over Nuer Engagements, Sparks Diplomatic Tensions
Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda Army Chief, expressed his fatigue over combating Nuer tribesmen on social media. He suggested the Nuer surrender, offering a controversial demand for 1,000 cows to cease attacks. His past controversial statements have led to diplomatic backlash, particularly from Sudan and the DRC, highlighting the risks associated with his rhetoric.
Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), publicly expressed his exhaustion regarding the ongoing military engagements with South Sudan’s Nuer tribesmen. Through his social media account on X (formerly Twitter), he provocatively suggested that the Nuer should surrender to prevent further violence. Kainerugaba claimed that if the Nuer elders were wise, they would offer him 1,000 cows to end the assaults against them.
On March 11, Gen. Kainerugaba asserted that Ugandan forces are stationed in South Sudan primarily to safeguard President Salva Kiir and stabilize the capital, Juba. He emphasized that the UPDF recognizes only President Kiir as the legitimate leader of South Sudan, implying that any opposition to Kiir is tantamount to an act of aggression against Uganda.
The general, known for his controversial statements, previously stirred international tensions. He had warned mercenaries in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that Ugandan forces would commence attacks against them from January 2025, an announcement which incited a formal response from the DRC government.
Additionally, on December 18, 2024, Sudan demanded an apology from Uganda’s government regarding Kainerugaba’s incendiary remarks about seizing Khartoum upon the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump. The Sudanese foreign ministry condemned these comments as dangerous and a breach of international norms, prompting calls for condemnation from the African Union and other organizations.
Gen. Kainerugaba’s rhetoric has included threats towards Kenya, which resulted in a diplomatic apology from his father, President Yoweri Museveni, indicating the volatile nature of his statements. Throughout his involvement with South Sudan since the conflict’s outbreak in December 2013, he has played a significant role in Ugandan military operations there, which have been marked by allegations of violations of international law.
In summary, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s recent comments about the Nuer tribesmen and military engagements in South Sudan highlight a potentially dangerous escalation in rhetoric from Uganda’s military leadership. His statements not only reflect personal sentiments of fatigue over ongoing conflict but also pose significant diplomatic challenges for Uganda, straining relationships with neighboring countries. Calls for accountability and condemnation from international bodies stress the need for careful communication from military officials to maintain regional stability.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
