Better for Me to Die Fighting than Begging! Kahinda Otafiire Speaks Tough as Muhoozi Threatens to Arrest Him on Saturday

Maj Gen (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire has declared that he would rather die fighting than live on his knees begging, as the veteran bush war fighter faces threats from Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who has vowed to have him arrested on Saturday.

Speaking during a public lecture at Valley University of Science and Technology (VUST) in Bushenyi, Otafiire, the Minister of Water and Environment and Ruhinda County MP, distanced himself from the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), the political organisation chaired by Muhoozi.

Otafiire said he was not a member of the PLU and should therefore not be expected to explain or promote its values.

He compared the expectation to asking a Catholic to preach in a mosque, arguing that he had no obligation to speak on behalf of an organisation to which he did not belong.

The minister also said he was unwilling to tell lies on behalf of the PLU, in what appeared to be a declaration of independence from the political group amid growing tensions within the ruling establishment.

His remarks came against the backdrop of a public confrontation with Muhoozi, who has issued a series of statements targeting the minister following comments he made in Parliament on Thursday, October 1.

During the parliamentary debate, Otafiire warned about the dangers of military leaders who favour violence, arguing that there was a problem if a general preferred violence.

The remarks were followed by a series of sharp responses from Muhoozi, who interpreted the minister’s comments as a challenge and subsequently threatened action against him, including arrest.

The latest confrontation has revived questions about the limits of political and military influence within the ruling establishment, particularly when senior government officials express views that appear to conflict with Muhoozi’s public positions.

It also comes after two other senior female government officials, Minister for the Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda and State Minister for Local Government Justine Nameere, faced public pressure and threats from Muhoozi following separate disagreements.

In early September, Babalanda found herself at the centre of a dispute after declaring that President Yoweri Museveni would remain Uganda’s presidential candidate in 2031 and beyond.

Her remarks contradicted the position being advanced by Muhoozi and his supporters, who had announced the CDF’s intention to contest the presidency in 2031.

Muhoozi publicly demanded an apology from Babalanda, accusing her of spreading falsehoods and warning that she risked losing her government job. He later escalated the threat, saying she was in danger of arrest.

Babalanda responded with a conciliatory message, declaring, “Afande CDF, Gen. @mkainerugaba, Tuko Pamoja Juu.”

Muhoozi welcomed the message and invited her to the PLU headquarters to sign an endorsement book supporting his anticipated presidential bid. The exchange was followed by signs of reconciliation, with Babalanda publicly signalling solidarity with the army chief.

The confrontation with Nameere later in September followed a controversy over a video clip that appeared to show the minister making remarks directed at Muhoozi. The minister maintained that the video had been maliciously edited and that her comments had been directed at PLU Secretary General Daudi Kabanda.

Muhoozi issued an ultimatum demanding an apology, warning that nothing would save her if she failed to comply. He had also threatened possible Cabinet consequences and indicated that he could campaign against her in Masaka.

Nameere eventually apologised, saying she had never intended to attack Muhoozi and accusing unnamed individuals of manipulating the video to create discord.

Muhoozi accepted the apology, declared the matter settled and directed PLU members to stop attacking the minister. Nameere subsequently visited the PLU offices and signed the endorsement book supporting Muhoozi’s 2031 presidential ambitions.

The two episodes demonstrated how public disagreements with Muhoozi had developed into confrontations involving threats of political consequences, followed by efforts to restore relations.

Otafiire’s case, however, carries a different dimension given his long history in Uganda’s liberation struggle and his seniority within the political establishment. Unlike the two ministers who moved to reconcile with Muhoozi, Otafiire has invoked his history of armed resistance to emphasise his unwillingness to submit to intimidation.

“I fought Idi Amin, was I safe? I fought Milton Obote for five years. I would rather die on my feet fighting than live on my knees begging,” Otafiire said.

His declaration adds another chapter to the growing public tensions between Muhoozi and senior figures in the government, with the minister’s remarks setting a defiant tone as the threatened Saturday arrest approaches.

Meanwhile, Kahinda Otafiire’s son has warned that it would be a BIG MISTAKE! for Muhoozi to dare arrest His Father, as reported Here.