- A video of Ugandan General Muhoozi Kainerugaba struggling to address a crowd in Mbale surfaced online on Monday, October 26
- Muhoozi switched between English, Swahili, and Kiganda without completing coherent sentences, prompting an aide to step in and translate
- Ugandans flooded social media to mock the general, with some humorously warning that the clip must not reach Kenyans
Masolo Mabonga is the HOD of Politics and Current Affairs at TUKO.co.ke, covering political and world news. Mabonga has over seven years of journalism experience and joined TUKO.co.ke in 2019.
A video of Ugandan General Muhoozi Kainerugaba visibly struggling to deliver a public speech atop a car in Mbale has circulated widely on social media, drawing sharp criticism from Ugandans who found the display irreconcilable with his assertive online persona.
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The footage, which emerged on Monday, October 26, showed the general wavering between English and Swahili as he attempted to address a crowd gathered at the function.
When some members of the audience called on him to speak in Kiganda, Muhoozi brushed off the request, leaving the exchange in an awkward standoff until one of his aides stepped forward to translate on his behalf.
Muhoozi's Remarks at the Mbale Event
Among the few discernible lines Muhoozi delivered was a brief attempt at Swahili:
"Mimi ni kijana kama nyinyi," meaning "I am a young man just like you," before he faltered and turned to consult with aides standing nearby.
He subsequently switched to English but continued to speak in incomplete fragments.
"I'm happy to be here in Mbale...how many support us...let me see those who support," he said, raising his hand to acknowledge the crowd. He concluded his remarks by informing attendees that food had been prepared for them. "There is food we have prepared for you. Ensure you eat some before you leave," Muhoozi told the gathering.
Ugandans React Online
The clip quickly drew ridicule from Ugandans online, many of whom noted the sharp contrast between Muhoozi's combative posts on his X account, which have at times unsettled senior officials and foreign governments, and his halting performance before a live audience.
Several commenters, seemingly mindful of the long-running online rivalry between Ugandans and Kenyans, expressed particular concern that the video might spread across the border.
Urban Oracle wrote: "Don't let Kenyans land on this clip."
Yuda commented: "The apple didn't fall anywhere near the tree."
Te Raiona wrote: "Only dangerous at reading speeches and ordering of arrests. His power only lies in the barrel of the gun. At least nature couldn't allow him to have the public speaking skills of his father."
Molaskabz said: "If this guy becomes president, we are definitely cooked."
John Masasi wrote: "I'm even feel ashamed of watching this guy talking."
Hussein remarked: "No manifesto, no plan, no solution to any problem, just food 😂😂 as the best thing to do on his speech."
Okello George Leone observed: "The exact opposite of his tweets."
Motiv Kasagga added simply: "He can't make a speech."
Muhoozi, the son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and commander of the Land Forces, has previously attracted regional attention for his provocative social media activity, including posts that drew diplomatic responses from neighbouring Kenya.
Source: TUKO.co.ke