The Chief of Defence Forces of Uganda, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has apologized to his uncle, Gen. Salim Saleh, promising to refrain from ever mentioning Germany again.
Tensions between Uganda and Germany have been rising since last weekend, after Uganda’s army accused the German Ambassador of supporting emerging rebel groups aimed at toppling President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s government.
On Sunday, May 25, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) announced it had suspended military cooperation with Germany due to the ambassador’s inappropriate behavior.
The spokesperson for the Ugandan army, Col. Chris Magezi, said all military cooperation between the UPDF and Germany “will remain suspended until the issue surrounding Ambassador [Mathias Schauer], who is reportedly working with both political and military opposition groups within the country, is fully resolved.”
Gen. Muhoozi, who is also the CDF of UPDF, took to his X platform and joined in the criticism of the ambassador, stating that Uganda’s accusations were personal and not directed at Germany as a nation.
However, on Monday, the General mocked the diplomat, questioning why Germany, known for tall people, would send the shortest ambassador to Uganda.
He said: “Historically, Germans are supposed to be the second tallest people in Europe, after the Dutch who drink lots of milk like us (Bahima, Tutsi, and Dinka). So why in the world did they send the shortest ambassador ever to this country?”
Germany, through its Foreign Ministry spokesperson, dismissed the accusations against its ambassador in Kampala as “shameful and baseless,” firmly rejecting them.
Despite this, the UPDF continues to accuse the diplomat, while his European colleagues reportedly told Gen. Saleh they were alarmed by Muhoozi’s remarks.
Sources say that Saleh, who is President Museveni’s younger brother, may have reprimanded Muhoozi and previously vowed to set him straight.
Through his X platform, Gen. Kainerugaba publicly apologized to his uncle and vowed not to mention Germany or white people again.
He wrote: “Out of respect for our great father, Afande Saleh, I will never again mention Germany or Europeans. I apologize if I ever disrespected you, Afande Saleh. Please forgive me, Afande!”
