The commander-in-chief of the Ugandan army, Muhuzi Kainerugaba, presented an ultimatum to US Ambassador William Popp, demanding that he apologize to President Yoweri Museveni (Kainerugaba's father) or leave the country, writes Nile Post.
The general accused the diplomat of behaving "undiplomatically" in the country. If Popp does not apologize personally to Museveni by 09.00 on Monday, October 7, he will have to leave Uganda, Kainerugaba threatened. The commander-in-chief did not explain what he meant by "undiplomatic" behavior.
Kainerugaba noted that Uganda "loves and admires" the United States, but recently "there is a lot of evidence that they are working against the government of the National Resistance Movement (the ruling party led by Museveni).
Nile Post notes that the general announced his intention to run for election in 2026. However, in September, he announced that he would not participate in them and instead supported his 80-year-old father.
Prior to that, the commander-in-chief claimed that Uganda was "on the verge of a serious confrontation" with the ambassador, which was connected with his disrespect "for the beloved and illustrious president and undermining the constitution of Uganda." According to Kaynerugaba, this is not about personal grievances, but about interference in the affairs of the country.
"This is a national issue, and you will see that no foreign state will ever dominate Uganda again!" he assured.
His statement came after the US State Department imposed sanctions on four Ugandan police officers because of their alleged involvement in human rights violations, including torture.
Popp became an ambassador last September. Since then, a significant number of high-ranking officials of the country have faced sanctions from the United States, the publication points out.
Museveni appointed his son commander-in-chief of the army in March this year. Before that, Kainerugaba headed the ground forces, but was dismissed by his father in 2022 after he threatened to invade neighboring Kenya.
The general also promised to "send soldiers to defend Moscow if imperialists threaten it," and declared support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, RBC said.