Why First Son Muhoozi deactivated his X account

Kampala, (UG):- Uganda’s first son and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has announced his departure from the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

The announcement comes after nearly a decade of active engagement on the platform, during which he cultivated a significant following and frequently stirred public discourse with his often controversial posts.

In a heartfelt farewell message posted to his more than 1m followers before deactivating his X account, Gen Muhoozi flashed back on “a great whirlwind and rousing journey together on these streets for the last 10 years since 2014.” He explained that the time had come for him to step back and focus on his military duties, citing divine guidance as a factor in his decision.

“The time has now come under the instructions and blessings of my Lord Jesus Christ to leave and concentrate on His army, the UPDF,” the First Son wrote.

Gen Muhoozi assured his followers that his departure was not permanent and hinted at a possible return in the future. “At an appropriate time in the future when it becomes important, and after fulfilling the Almighty God’s immediate assignment to restore everlasting peace and security to all His people in our region, we shall always re-converge,” he promised.

The General’s time on X was marked by a mix of personal reflections, political commentary, and occasionally controversial statements. Known for his candid and often unfiltered posts, Muhoozi used the platform to express his views on Ugandan politics, regional affairs, and even his ambitions for leadership.

His tweets sometimes sparked heated debates, with supporters praising his transparency and critics questioning the appropriateness of his public remarks.

For example, in October 2022, he claimed the ability to capture Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, in two weeks with the Ugandan army, a statement that triggered diplomatic tensions between Uganda and Kenya.

The tweet forced President Museveni to issue an official apology to Kenya and resulted in Muhoozi’s reassignment within the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).

Later that month, he publicly threatened to expel U.S. Ambassador William Popp from Uganda, escalating tensions between Kampala and Washington.

More recently, he made headlines by threatening to seize Sudan’s capital, Khartoum.
Each of these incidents triggered demands for official apologies from Uganda’s government, highlighting the complexities surrounding his social media presence.

Despite the controversial posts, Gen Muoozi has often used X to advocate for regional cooperation and diplomacy. In some instances, he publicly called for dialogue and peace between neighbouring countries, often positioning himself as a proponent of Pan-African unity.

His tweets about promoting peace in the Great Lakes region and fostering better relations with Rwanda and Kenya have drawn praise from his supporters.

Though Muhoozi has stepped away from the digital streets of X for now, his promise of a “greater comeback” suggests that his influence both online and offline is far from over. “I LOVE you all so much,” he concluded, “and in whatever you do, continue to support Uganda, Africa, and our revolutionary President.”

As news of his departure from X, some of his fans, especially from the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) expressed disappointment at his absence, others interpreted his decision as a strategic move in light of his growing political and military profile.

Only time will tell when and how the First Son will re-emerge, but his followers will undoubtedly be watching closely.

This is not the first time Muhoozi has announced his departure from the platform. In previous instances, he quit only to return, reigniting debates about his political ambitions and his use of social media as a tool for influence.