First son and chief of defence forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba says that his father would beat Winnie Byanyima in 1985-86 and has threatened to beat her, too.
Winnie Byanyima is wife to veteran opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye who is currently in prison following his arrest from Nairobi Kenya in 2024. Besigye has been Museveni’s opponent since his bitter fallout with the general from Rwakitura in 1999.
Running against Museveni in four presidential elections, Besigye has been supported by Winnie Byanyima, his wife, who is a vocal activist and former MP. In short, Winnie Byanyima has walked with Besigye along a rugged terrain-like political journey.
And Muhoozi has been watching the developments and growing in the military ranks to, now, the top most military role in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, security coordination – and he is one eyeing to succeed his father who is aged 81 and has been ruling Uganda since 1986 after the National Resistance Army (NRA) bush war.
At public events, Muhoozi may appear as a many of just a few words but online, he is tweeting general that threatens nations and throws jabs at his opponents and those of his father.
Winnie Byanyima has had her own share of attacks from Muhoozi. The latest regards Muhoozi’s threats to capture the Iranian Capital Tehran.
After Iran’s embassy mocked Muhoozi over his threats, Winnie Byanyima wrote: “Uganda is laughing stock of Iran’s Embassy in South Africa! This must stop. Ugandans, our national defence, our regional and international relations are too important to be managed like this!”
But Muhoozi reacted by threatening to beat up Winnie Byanyima and suggested that his father Museveni would beat her up around 1985-86, and that the first son thought that beating women in the morning was how all men exercise.
“This old, s+up!d woman. If my father did not beat you enough in 1985-86. Trust me I will,” wrote Muhoozi.
“Mzee used to use her head for a punching bag. I thought that’s how men exercise in the morning.”
Winnie Byanyima has previously spoken about her love relationship with Museveni and told Muhoozi to go slow on the matter, even as the president’s hand in her international jobs was being question. (See Details Here, There and Over There).
