Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has given retired Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire three days to apologise over remarks he made in Parliament about military generals who prefer violence, threatening to take action against the veteran politician if he fails to comply.
The confrontation follows comments Otafiire, the Minister of Water and Environment and Ruhinda MP, made during a parliamentary sitting on Thursday, October 1, 2026, in which he warned about military generals who favour violence.
The dispute has drawn attention to the growing tensions between Muhoozi and government officials, particularly following previous public confrontations in which Muhoozi threatened ministers with dismissal and arrest.
Otafiire’s remarks came during a speech in Parliament in which he called on legislators to put the interests of the country above political differences.
He reminded MPs that Uganda belonged to all citizens, regardless of their political affiliations, and urged leaders to work together in serving the nation.
In his address, Otafiire also raised concerns about military officers who prefer violence, a statement that has now triggered a direct confrontation with Muhoozi.
The latest exchange comes against the backdrop of previous disputes between Muhoozi and members of his father President Yoweri Museveni’s Cabinet.
Junior Minister of Local Government Justine Nameere previously apologised after Muhoozi threatened consequences over a disagreement involving a video clip that she said had been edited to portray her as attacking him.
Muhoozi had threatened to have her removed from Cabinet before Nameere issued a public apology on September 20. He subsequently accepted the apology and called on his supporters to stop attacking her.
Minister for the Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda also found herself in a public dispute with the army chief after making remarks about Museveni’s continued leadership and presidential ambitions beyond 2031.
Muhoozi demanded an apology from Babalanda, threatened that she could lose her ministerial position and warned that she risked arrest. The minister subsequently sought to make peace with him.
The two incidents have highlighted the public pressure senior government officials can face when their statements or actions provoke a confrontation with the CDF.
Otafiire, a retired army general and long-serving government minister, is now facing a similar demand for an apology, with Muhoozi escalating his threats in three successive statements.
In his first statement, Muhoozi said: “I hear my junior MG.Otafiire made some statements in parliament against me. I’m giving him exactly 1 week to apologise to me or else he will see.”
He later revised the deadline, reducing the time given to Otafiire from seven days to three.
“One week is too long, he has 3 days to apologise,” he wrote.
In his final statement, Muhoozi turned his attention to Otafiire’s age and threatened to send him to an old people’s home if he refused to show respect.
“When old men like Otafiire refuse to respect us they become nuisances. We will send them to an old people’s home,” Museveni’s son threatened.
The statements have turned Otafiire’s parliamentary remarks into a public confrontation, with the CDF demanding a personal apology over comments that did not explicitly name him.
Update: Muhoozi has since threatened to arrest Otafiire on October 03, 2026. “3 days is too long. We are arresting Otafiire tomorrow without fail,” he wrote.
Read more on Otafiire’s Veiled attack against Muhoozi Here.
Months ago, Muhoozi ordered an investigation into an Ambassador and Otafiire after an audio of the two discussing him leaked. (See Details Here).
Otafiire and his son have also previously responded to some of Muhoozi threats, as reported Here and There.
