Bobi Wine responds after First Son Muhoozi threatens to behead him

Kampala, (UG):- Ugandan opposition leader and President of the National Unity Platform party Mr Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine Monday responded to ranting social media threats made against him by First Son Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba threatening to ‘behead him’.

Gen Muhoozi, who is also Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces said in a barrage of social media posts via X on Sunday evening that he wanted to behead Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, and that his father and President, Gen Yoweri Museveni was the only person protecting him.

“If Mzee was not there, I would cut off his head today,” Gen Muhoozi posted before later apologising for that threat and other posts which he said are meant to be ironic.

“Before I behead you, repay us the money we loaned you,” he added, in a suggestive manner that the government, which his father leads, had previously bought off Wine to undermine the opposition.

However, Bobi Wine, who finished second in the 2021 presidential election, responded saying he did not take the threat lightly and will not succumb to intimidation of any form.

“The threat by Museveni’s son (who also heads Uganda’s military) to behead me is not something I take lightly, given that many have been killed by him and his father, and considering their several attempts at my life. I REFUSE to be intimidated by the cowardly regime,” Bobi Wine posted on Sunday evening. ” The world is watching.”

The opposition leader reiterated the same while addressing journalists at his National Unity Platform (NUP) party offices in Kampala saying; “I’ve come across his uncoordinated messages that he writes overnight. Before you get angry at him, you need to first forgive him.”

“While his threats are concerning, I don’t fear taking him on and his father,” he added before dismissing allegations he [Muhoozi] made that he was funded by the government during his campaigns in the 2021 elections.

“If at all they fund me, why do they have to go after me everywhere, torturing and killing my supporters?” the NUP Principal wondered.

But Government has downplayed Gen Muhoozi’s social media posts saying they should be understood as “casual” comments and not taken seriously or as reflecting government policy.

The Minister of State for Information, Hon Godfrey Kabbyanga Monday said “there is no cause for alarm over these comments, as there is no assurance that these are Gen. Muhoozi’s writings”.

The ‘social media warlord’ recently said through the same app (X) that should consider his posts serious unless they see his signature or thumbprint.

“I have always considered tweets as modern-day musings, reflections, contemplations, abstractions, and ruminations. No one should consider them sworn statements unless they see my signature or thumbprint with the tweet,” the CDF wrote last week.

How these threats affect Uganda’s international relations

Threats like these can strain Uganda’s diplomatic relations, as they raise concerns about human rights abuses and political repression. International observers might view Uganda as less stable or democratic, potentially affecting foreign investment and aid.

Such public threats made by people of influential positions and authority in the country can lead to international condemnation, impacting Uganda’s reputation and relations with global human rights organizations.

Political commentators say countries and international bodies might increase pressure on Uganda to adhere to democratic principles, affecting trade agreements and political alliances.

The threat could result in calls for sanctions or diplomatic actions against Ugandan officials, complicating international travel and cooperation.