US issues strict sanctions against Uganda over Muhoozi’s deleted tweet
By Cynthia Lodite, January 31, 2026The United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair has issued strict sanctions against Uganda after Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, tweeted addressing the US Embassy in Kampala.
In his tweet, which was later deleted, Muhoozi accused the US embassy in Uganda of aiding Bobi Wine’s escape.
In a statement by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair shared on X on Saturday, January 31, 2026, the Chair, explained that Muhoozi had crossed a red line.
According to the Chair, US will hence reevaluate its security partnership, which includes sanctions and military cooperation with Uganda.
“Commander @mkainerugaba has crossed a red line, and now the U.S. must reevaluate its security partnership, which includes sanctions and military cooperation with Uganda,” the U.S. stated.
On the other hand, the US has dismissed Muhoozi’s apologies, terming them a hollow apology, adding that the US will not tolerate the level of instability and recklessness.
“The president’s son, and likely successor, cannot just delete tweets and issue hollow apologies. The U.S. will not tolerate this level of instability and recklessness when American personnel, U.S. interests, and innocent lives in the region are at stake,” US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair explained.
Muhoozi’s tweet
Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, moved quickly to calm diplomatic tensions after reversing an earlier position that had shaken relations between Uganda and the US.
The dramatic reversal on Friday, January 30, 2026, came barely an hour after he had announced a suspension of military cooperation with the United States, including Uganda’s role in Somalia. The statement was addressed to Ugandans, the US government, and the wider international community.
The episode unfolded in Kampala on Wednesday, drawing attention because of Muhoozi’s dual position as army chief and son of President Yoweri Museveni. His initial comments had raised concerns about Uganda’s long-standing security partnership with the United States.
In a follow-up message issued shortly after the earlier announcement, Muhoozi sought to explain his change of position and reassure both Ugandans and international partners that relations remained intact.
He said his earlier remarks were based on incorrect information and confirmed that direct engagement with the US Embassy had helped resolve the matter.
“I want to apologise to our great friends, the United States, for my earlier tweets that I have now deleted. I was being fed wrong information. I have spoken with the US Ambassador to our country, and everything is okay. We are going to continue our military cooperation as usual,” he wrote.