The Commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has stated that if he becomes President, he will resolve the long-standing strained relations between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Gen. Muhoozi made these remarks in a message posted on X on Friday morning.
He said that if he becomes President, he will bring together Paul Kagame and Félix Tshisekedi for talks aimed at resolving their differences.
“I am currently the Chief of Defence Forces, but one day—and not too far from now—I will be President of Uganda. I will call our father, President Kagame, and my elder brother Tshisekedi so that they can resolve their problems,” he wrote.
On several occasions, Gen. Muhoozi has suggested that he could one day become President of Uganda, succeeding his father, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. However, he has not specified when this might happen or the process through which it would occur.
The strained relationship between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo is largely rooted in allegations that the DRC supports the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a rebel group whose members include individuals implicated in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and which Rwanda says poses a threat to its national security.
The DRC, on the other hand, accuses Rwanda of backing the AFC/M23 rebel movement. Rwanda has repeatedly rejected these allegations, describing them as unfounded.
Although Gen. Muhoozi is not an elected politician, many observers believe he wields significant influence in Ugandan politics. He is also widely credited with playing a key role in the restoration of diplomatic relations between Uganda and Rwanda in recent years.
