Uganda’s unpredictable First Son and military chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has detonated a diplomatic grenade, announcing the immediate suspension of military cooperation with the United States. In a volatile late-night declaration, the General accused the US Embassy of "subversive activities" and harboring opposition fugitives, threatening to upend decades of security partnership in East Africa.

The announcement, made via his preferred megaphone, X (formerly Twitter), sent shockwaves through the diplomatic corps in Kampala and Washington. "We as UPDF suspend ALL cooperation with the current administration at the US Embassy," Muhoozi wrote, specifically citing US involvement in the "disappearance" of opposition figures. Although the tweet was later deleted and followed by a lukewarm apology claiming "misinformation," the damage to the fragile trust between Kampala and the West is palpable.

The Shadow of Bobi Wine

At the heart of this explosion is the ghost of the recent disputed election. Muhoozi’s outburst appears linked to allegations that the US Embassy is sheltering opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), who has gone underground claiming an assassination plot. To Muhoozi, the Embassy’s silence is complicity.

This is not the first time the "Tweeting General" has risked national security for a social media dopamine hit. But threatening a superpower that funds a significant chunk of Uganda’s military operations—specifically in Somalia—is a gamble of a different magnitude.

• The Somalia Stakes: The US provides critical intelligence and funding for the UPDF’s mission in Somalia (ATMIS). A rupture here would embolden Al-Shabaab and leave Ugandan troops vulnerable.
• The Pattern of Chaos: This follows a similar incident in 2025 where Muhoozi suspended ties with Germany. It paints a picture of a military leadership driven by impulse rather than strategy.

A Walk-Back or a Warning?

While the General has since claimed he has "spoken to the Ambassador" and "everything is okay," analysts warn that you cannot un-ring a bell. The US State Department is reportedly reviewing its security assistance, tired of being the punching bag for Kampala’s internal power struggles.

Muhoozi may have deleted the tweet, but he has etched a clear message: under his command, Uganda’s foreign policy is as volatile as his Twitter feed.