First son Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba could face treason charges for making political statements when he is still a serving UPDF officer if the Constitutional Court agrees with petitioner Gawaya Tegulle.
Lawyer Tegulle has filed a petition in the Constitutional Court seeking a number of declarations and orders against Lt Gen Kainerugaba, the Commander of UPDF Land Forces, and two others, over the first son’s 48th birthday celebrations and political undertones therein.
The constitutional and human rights lawyer argues that Lt Gen Kainerugaba, who is also his President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni’s senior advisor on special operations, contravened several provisions of the law when he engaged in political activities while still a serving UPDF officer.
Tegulle argues that Muhoozi’s actions, activities, conduct and character contravene articles 2,3, 21, 208(2), 208(3), 209 and 210 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, on the character and conduct of UPDF officers.
He says the declarations and orders he seeks against Muhoozi are in public interest, and meant for the sanctity of the constitution and for restoration of the reputation of the Uganda’s national army.
“It is in the high public interest that the first respondent’s [Muhoozi’s] actions, character and conduct be declared illegal and unconstitutional in order to redeem the sanctity of the constitution of the Republic of Uganda and to also restore harmony and public confidence in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) which is supposed to be a national army but is being portrayed by the first respondent [Muhoozi] as as personal outfit,” wrote Tegulle in his petition.
He prays that the Constitutional Court declares that Muhoozi violated provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. Tegulle also wants court to declare that the first son “committed the offence of treason and is liable to prosecution in accordance with the law as laid down.”
Among the orders the lawyer is seeking is that for the prosecution of President Museveni’s son for treason; and orders for Muhoozi to “cease and desist from carrying on his political activities while he is still serving in the army and that an injunction doth issue to that effect.
Tegulle is also seeking orders for Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi and Attorney General (AG) Kiryowa Kiwanuka to “discharge their constitutional mandate without fear or favor, and with effectiveness and efficiency to the last drop.”
Counsel Tegulle’s petition comes at a time when there appears to be some cracks developing within Museveni’s ruling NRM party as some Muhoozi Camp members plot to unveil a new political party to push the first son’s rumored 2026 presidential ambitions. (Read Story Here).