Ugandan CDF threatens to shut down media, arrest opposition leaders
Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba claims he has received presidential authorization to close Daily Monitor and NTV, and has vowed to remove the Leader of the Opposition from Parliament.
Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has issued sweeping threats against independent media outlets and opposition politicians, claiming to have his father President Yoweri Museveni’s backing.
In recent social media statements, Gen. Muhoozi declared his intention to shut down the Daily Monitor newspaper and NTV Uganda television station, accusing them of mocking his family’s 40-year rule.
“I want to switch off both Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda. I will do it soon. I just need clearance from Mzee,” he posted, referring to President Museveni as “Mzee”.
PLU to seize Leader of Opposition position
The military chief also warned that his political organization, the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), would forcefully take over the Leader of Opposition (LoP) position in Parliament—despite the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) commanding a majority of seats.
“I have instructed Patriotic League of Uganda to study how to remove @JoelSsenyonyi from being leader of the opposition as soon as possible,” Muhoozi wrote. “I want a new leader of the opposition in Parliament. And I will get him. He will be endorsed by me,” he added.
The exchange drew a response from former PLU Secretary General David Kabanda, who replied: “Ok, Sir. Mine is to implement”.
The development has sparked debate about parliamentary independence, as Uganda’s rules require the Leader of Opposition to be nominated by the largest opposition party—currently the National Unity Platform (NUP)—and formally recognized by the Speaker.
Arrest threats over Lukwago criticism
Gen. Muhoozi further threatened to arrest current LoP Joel Ssenyonyi and former Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda for criticizing his actions regarding the reported abduction and torture of former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.
The threats follow Gen. Muhoozi’s public boasts about the Lukwago operation, in which he shared images of a blindfolded Lukwago and declared himself “proud of all the hurt and pain I will inflict”. Lukwago, who represents detained opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye, was charged with misprision of treason and remanded to Luzira Prison.
Opposition draws Idi Amin comparisons
Ssemujju and Ssenyonyi have argued that the current political crisis mirrors the dictatorial era of Idi Amin Dada, when state abduction of political opponents, media silencing, and breakdown of institutional governance were commonplace.
Ssemujju drew a direct parallel between current events and detention practices under Amin’s rule, while NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) accused the government of employing methods similar to Amin’s feared State Research Bureau.
However, Lumumba Amin, son of the former president, has urged the public to stop drawing such comparisons, arguing that Gen. Muhoozi’s actions should be judged on their own merits and constitutional compliance.
The PLU, which started as a fan club for Gen. Muhoozi, has rapidly evolved into a powerful political pressure group. In a recent restructuring, Muhoozi appointed senior government officials including Speaker Jacob Oboth and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa to PLU’s Central Committee—a move constitutional lawyer Wandera Ogalo described as creating a “parallel government”.
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