The son of Uganda’s president sparked controversy on Thursday by warning that any citizen voting against his father in the upcoming elections would face deportation, while also banning women soldiers from wearing trousers.
Uganda is set to hold its general election in January amid increasing pressure and crackdowns on opposition figures in recent months.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is both the heir apparent and the son of long-time President Yoweri Museveni, is known for his provocative tweets that cover a wide range of topics from military affairs to personal life.
On Thursday, he took to X to warn that anyone “who do not support Mzee wholeheartedly better be very careful!”—using a respectful term for his father.
He further declared, “We will deport all the traitors in public view!!”
Earlier this month, Kainerugaba claimed responsibility for capturing and torturing Eddie Mutwe, the bodyguard of opposition leader Bobi Wine, who later appeared in court bearing visible signs of abuse, according to Justice Minister Norbert Mao.
In a subsequent post, the general stated he took “FULL responsibility” for his soldiers’ actions, including “the long overdue beating of Eddie Mutwe.”
He ominously added, “That was an appetizer!”
In a final tweet, Kainerugaba also imposed a new dress code on female soldiers, stating that all women in service must now march wearing skirts.
“Trousers are for men, not for women. Anyone who forces our sisters to put on trousers on parade again will have a very bad day,” he warned.
Currently, women make up only a small percentage of the Ugandan People’s Defence Force and generally wear the same daily uniform as men, though skirts are allowed on formal occasions, according to local reports.