Leaked Tape Reveals Diplomatic Crisis Over Muhoozi’s Tweets, Otafiire Says They’re ‘Causing Us Problems’
KAMPALA — A leaked telephone conversation has exposed a high-level diplomatic scramble by Ugandan officials to contain the international fallout from controversial social media posts by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, following the disputed 2026 general elections.
The purported transcript, which could not be independently verified by ChimpReports, details a conversation between retired Major General Kahinda Otafiire and Uganda’s Ambassador to the European Union, Mirjam Blaak. The discussion reveals how tweets by Gen. Muhoozi undermined the government’s efforts to counter mounting criticism from European lawmakers over alleged political repression and the disappearance of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine.
According to the leaked conversation, Ambassador Blaak had just concluded tense meetings with members of the European Parliament. A central concern for the European lawmakers was the legal status and whereabouts of Bobi Wine, who had gone underground after the elections.
“The problem is, of course, Bobi Wine mostly. Is he a wanted man?” Blaak is heard asking Otafiire.
Otafiire replied, “Not a wanted man,” a statement that appeared to relieve Blaak, who noted she planned to use that clarification to allay European fears. “I’m glad to say that, because I’m going to officially declare this now,” she said.
However, Blaak immediately pointed to a major source of confusion: controversial statements made on social media by Gen. Muhoozi, who had posted a series of messages referring to Bobi Wine as a “terrorist,” giving him an ultimatum to surrender, and warning that security forces had killed NUP supporters.
The transcript suggests this created a major headache for diplomats. Otafiire is recorded acknowledging the damage, stating bluntly, “It’s the tweets causing us problems,” adding, “It’s like giving alcohol to a hungry man.” He emphasized that the online posts directly contradicted their diplomatic messaging, saying they “confirm what Bobi is saying (he is a wanted man).”
The conversation also revealed concern about Bobi Wine’s significant influence within European political circles. “We are doing well, I think, with the European Parliament. It’s always causing us a lot of problems, because he has a lot of influence around the European Parliament, and that is not good,” Blaak said.
Otafiire concurred, expressing frustration that senior officials were constantly forced to answer for the fallout. “We have every day have to fight this every day. We are the ones getting to answer for it,” he said.
The exchange offers a rare glimpse into the diplomatic battle that accompanied Uganda’s domestic political crisis, with European institutions emerging as a key arena for the struggle between the government and opposition.
Efforts to reach Otafiire and Ambassador Blaak for comment on the leaked transcript were yet to bear fruit.
About The Author
