Deputy AG Kafuuzi defends Gen. Kainerugaba’s freedom of expression

Kafuuzi was answering the question raised by Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, about Muhoozi’s recent social media statements about the country’s presidency and the 2026 elections

Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi has defended the Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s right to freedom of opinion and expression.

This was during the plenary session of Parliament on Tuesday (September 24) that was chaired by the Deputy Speaker and Ruhinda North MP, Thomas Tayebwa.

Kafuuzi was answering the question raised by Kira Municipality MP on the Forum for Democratic Change party ticket, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, about Muhoozi’s recent social media statements about the country’s presidency and the 2026 elections.

Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi has defended the Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s right to freedom of opinion and expression. (Credit: Parliament)

“Article 208 [of the Constitution], which says UPDF [Uganda People’s Defence Forces] shall be subject to civilian authority, doesn’t take away a right to have an opinion, freedom of expression,” Kafuuzi said.

“Being a military man doesn’t put you outside the ambit of Chapter four of the Constitution. You retain the right to express yourself, you form a right to form an opinion,” he added.

The 1995 Constitution provides for the Bill of Rights under Chapter four, which embodies the rights that are to be respected by all authorities, the state and individuals.

Tayebwa guides

Tayebwa then ruled that the UPDF has established organs which can handle the discipline of their officers.

“Let us handle our business here and the UPDF will handle theirs,” he ruled.

Over the weekend, media, especially online outlets were awash with reactions to the CDF’s posts on X formerly Twitter.

In several posts, he publicly stated his opinion on the suitable candidate for the 2026 polls.

He also announced that he will not be in the race for the presidential seat.

As chairman of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), which is a civic organization, Muhoozi on September 21, 2024, endorsed President Yoweri Museveni’s candidacy in the 2026 elections and asked all his supporters to follow suit.

“I would like to announce that I will not be on the ballot paper in 2026. Almighty God told me to focus on His Army first. So, I fully endorse President Yoweri Museveni in the next elections,” he posted.

The four-star general, who is also son of President Yoweri Museveni, went on to urge all his supporters and members of the PLU to do the same.

“We shall all of us, as one man and without exception, support President Museveni in 2026. The future belongs to our mighty God alone, and we shall triumph in His name,” said Kainerugaba who is also Senior presidential advisor on special operations,

He urged PLU members to subscribe to NRM, saying it is the political party that is most closely aligned to their values.