The Kenyan Ambassador to Uganda, Joash Maangi, is set to meet Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to address concerns over a recent article published by Kenya’s Standard newspaper.
The ambassador revealed this during an event on Wednesday evening while speaking with Uganda’s state minister for Youth and Children’s Affairs, Balaam Barugahara, a known ally of Muhoozi.
In a conversation overheard by our reporter, Maangi expressed regret over the publication and stressed the need for diplomatic engagement.
“I am meeting the CDF tomorrow [Thursday]; we will talk about it. Unfortunately, it happened,” Maangi told Barugahara.
Describing the article as “unfortunate and very bad,” the ambassador expressed hope for constructive dialogue to defuse tensions.
At one point, Maangi and Barugahara stepped away from the crowd for a private discussion that appeared serious. Barugahara did most of the talking while the ambassador listened attentively, occasionally nodding or lowering his head in contemplation. The conversation lasted about five minutes.
The Standard article in question referred to Muhoozi as a “Four-Star Brat,” a label that sparked outrage among the general’s supporters. Some even suggested staging protests at the Kenyan High Commission in Kampala.
The report criticized Muhoozi’s frequent use of social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting that his unfiltered remarks could inflame diplomatic tensions in the region. The article argued that his outspoken views could complicate ongoing negotiations on peace efforts in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
“Leaders in the East African region are pushing hard to bring peace to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), but their efforts could be frustrated because of the fire being fueled by the head of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba,” the article noted.
The controversy gained traction when ChimpReports reported that the Kenyan diplomat had been seeking an audience with Muhoozi to address growing diplomatic concerns over the publication.
Standard’s response
Following the backlash, The Standard later posted a cryptic message on X:
“GENERAL MUHOOZI: Following our publication on Muhoozi Kainerugaba, fresh details have emerged on the General known for being both tough and fun. Muhoozi, reputed to mean business, is respected by his peers and across the rank and file. Yet, he also has a taste for the finer things in life.”
It remains unclear whether this was an attempt to defuse tensions or a subtle continuation of the mockery.
With the ambassador’s scheduled meeting with General Muhoozi, all eyes are now on whether this diplomatic engagement will ease tensions between the two nations or further escalate the dispute. Muhoozi had demanded a written apology from the newspaper.
This seems to be an African man who owns two pistols on his cowboy belt. Such a military spectacle is well understood in the many American western movies. President Idi Amin had only one pistol on his hip as he denounced his fellow African enemies. Such western movies raise tension and become very brutal when finally the winning hero demands apologies at any cost at gun point!