In Summary
Uganda’s General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has issued a stern warning to those spreading fake news about President Yoweri Museveni’s health, calling the act criminal and reckless, and urging President Ruto to act before it escalates into a diplomatic issue.
Uganda’s First Son and Senior Presidential Advisor, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has issued a strong warning to individuals spreading false rumours about President Yoweri Museveni’s health, terming the act criminal and reckless.
Speaking on Sunday, General Muhoozi said that the Ugandan authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have begun gathering information about individuals behind the misinformation being circulated on social media platforms, particularly from Kenya.
“I want to warn those spreading false rumours that my father, the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, is critically ill — this is criminal and reckless. If this continues and President Ruto remains silent while Kenyans imagine the death of a sitting Ugandan President, it will be treated as an act of hostility,” General Muhoozi said.
The remarks come after social media platforms in Kenya and Uganda were flooded with false claims alleging that President Museveni was in critical condition. General Muhoozi emphasized that such actions could strain relations between Kenya and Uganda, two neighboring countries that have long shared political, economic, and cultural ties.
Uganda’s Laws on Discussing the President’s Health
In Uganda, it is illegal to speculate about or spread false information concerning the health or death of the sitting president. The Ugandan Communications Commission (UCC) has in the past warned citizens against sharing unverified content online, saying such acts amount to spreading fake news and can lead to prosecution.
Muhoozi’s statement serves as a reminder of these strict regulations, noting that discussing the president’s health without official confirmation is considered a security threat under Ugandan law.
A Call for Diplomatic Responsibility
General Muhoozi also called upon Kenyan President William Ruto to address the matter and ensure that the spread of such misinformation does not continue. He cautioned that failure to act could be interpreted as tacit approval of hostile acts against Uganda.
“We are already gathering information about individuals sharing this misinformation online. Uganda will not tolerate reckless behaviour that threatens our stability or the dignity of our President,” Muhoozi added.
The Importance of Verifying Information Online
This incident highlights the growing challenge of misinformation in the age of social media. Experts have often warned that spreading unverified news about national leaders can cause panic, damage diplomatic relations, and undermine public trust.
As regional cooperation between East African nations continues to strengthen, maintaining responsible online behaviour and accurate reporting remains critical in preventing unnecessary diplomatic tension.