Otafiire Scoffs at Kainerugaba for Threatening Arrest
Minister dismisses CDF’s arrest threat as public exchange exposes NRM succession tensions
Internal Affairs Minister Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire has dismissed arrest threats from Uganda People’s Defence Forces Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, responding with a terse “LOL” on social media as a bitter public exchange laid bare growing succession fissures within the ruling NRM party.
The exchange began when Gen Kainerugaba posted on X: “Hon.Otafiire, should stop trying to use me in his fights with my father. He has a very big problem with Mzee, he knows it. Let us see if Mzee arrests him.”
In a subsequent post, the CDF escalated his warning: “Let Mzee decide what to do with Hon.Otafiire. It won’t take us half a second to arrest him.”
The threats followed remarks Otafiire made to constituents in his Ruhinda North constituency, where the veteran politician explicitly rejected the idea of Muhoozi succeeding his father, President Yoweri Museveni.
“People say I hate Muhoozi, the president’s son,” Otafiire told his constituents. “No, I hate a Muhoozi presidency.”
The Ruhinda North MP warned that such a transition would have regrettable consequences for ordinary Ugandans. “It’s you the people who pay for the consequences because I’ll long be gone (dead),” he said.
Otafiire, a veteran of the 1981-86 guerrilla war that brought the NRM to power, dismissed fears over the threats. “I have been in very dangerous situations on the battlefield. I have already risked my life,” he said.
The public confrontation has drawn significant attention within ruling party circles as debate over succession intensifies ahead of the 2031 general election. Gen Kainerugaba’s supporters have increasingly promoted him as a potential future leader, while Otafiire—one of the longest-serving NRM figures—has repeatedly voiced reservations about a Muhoozi presidency.
Son seeks to calm tensions
Amid the escalating war of words, Otafiire’s son, Che Otafiire, moved to de-escalate the situation, responding to Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs Balaam Barugahara on X.
“My brother Hon. @BalaamBarugahar, please disregard the smokescreen crafted behind the scenes by some individuals whose agenda we already know. There is absolutely no hatred between Gen. @mkainerugaba and Gen. @otafiire_k – plain and simple,” Che Otafiire posted.
Barugahara had earlier offered a more measured perspective on the dispute: “The programme of General @mkainerugaba continues to move forward with growing momentum, confidence and strong support from around the world. I have received several calls regarding the recent public remarks made by our respected elder, Mzee Hon @otafiire_k.”
“Hon. Kahinda Otafiire’s statement that he respects Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba but does not support him for President is his personal view, and it deserves respect. In a democracy, differing opinions are natural and should be handled with civility and maturity,” Barugahara added.
Despite the sharp exchanges on social media, signals from both camps suggest the disagreement is being framed as political rather than personal. The incident highlights the delicate balancing act within the NRM as the party navigates succession politics nearly four decades after taking power.
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