Rwanda Accuses Ugandan General of “Ethnic Extremism” Over Social Media Posts

KIGALI, Rwanda — Rwandan authorities have sharply condemned Uganda’s military chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, over a series of social media posts that invoked sensitive ethnic identities linked to the 1994 genocide, raising fresh tensions between the neighboring East African nations.

General Muhoozi, who is also the son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, sparked outrage with remarks that questioned the ethnic background of his brother-in-law, businessman Odrek Rwabwogo. In the posts, the Ugandan commander suggested that Rwabwogo may be Hutu rather than Hima — an ethnic group predominantly associated with western Uganda.

In a separate post, General Muhoozi reportedly referred to Rwandan President Paul Kagame as “the most dangerous Tutsi” he had ever encountered.

The comments immediately drew a firm rebuke from Kigali. Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo condemned the statements as “ethnic extremism,” warning that such rhetoric threatened the fragile social cohesion that Rwanda has painstakingly rebuilt over three decades.

“Rwanda has spent decades rebuilding unity and healing the deep wounds left by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi,” Makolo said in a statement. “Statements that seek to divide Rwandans along ethnic lines are not only irresponsible but dangerous.”

The controversy began when a Ugandan lawyer publicly questioned whether Rwandans were comfortable with General Muhoozi openly invoking Hutu and Tutsi identifiers in his public communications. That query prompted Makolo’s official response, escalating the diplomatic friction.

The Tutsi and Hutu identities remain deeply sensitive in Rwanda, where extremist Hutu forces orchestrated the massacre of an estimated 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutu over 100 days in 1994. Since then, President Kagame’s government has pursued a policy of national unity, officially discouraging ethnic categorization and prosecuting genocide ideology.

General Muhoozi, who commands Uganda’s land forces and is a prominent figure on social media, has not publicly responded to Rwanda’s criticism. His posts have frequently courted controversy in the past, including statements about regional military interventions and political affairs.

The incident risks straining relations between Uganda and Rwanda, which have experienced periodic tensions over the years, including a 2019 border closure that severely impacted trade and movement between the two countries. Relations have since improved, with both sides engaging in dialogue to resolve outstanding issues.

Analysts suggest that General Muhoozi’s remarks could complicate those diplomatic efforts, particularly given his stature as a senior military officer and the president’s son.

Neither Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the Ugandan military has issued an official statement on the matter at the time of reporting.

The Rwandan government has called for restraint and reiterated its commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region, while Ugandan officials have yet to indicate whether any disciplinary or diplomatic measures will follow.