Bobi Wine has accused Uganda’s military leadership of promoting ethnic discrimination after Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba sparked controversy with remarks identifying individuals by their ethnic backgrounds.
The National Unity Platform (NUP) president and opposition leader criticised Muhoozi after the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) chief questioned the ethnic identity of businessman Odrek Rwabwogo, President Yoweri Museveni’s son-in-law, during a public dispute.
Muhoozi wrote that he doubted Rwabwogo was a Muhima because “he doesn’t behave like one”, adding that he “might be a Muhutu”. The remarks triggered accusations of ethnic stereotyping, with critics arguing that Muhoozi appeared to associate personal behaviour with ethnic identity.
In a statement, Bobi Wine described Muhoozi as “Museveni’s brutal son” and accused him of publicly expressing what he claimed had long been an unstated principle of the Museveni administration.
“Nobody should be surprised that Museveni’s brutal son would consider anybody who is not from his specific ethnic origin a second-class citizen,” Bobi Wine said.
The opposition leader further alleged that ethnic and religious profiling has been experienced by government critics during arrests, interrogations and alleged torture.
He cited the case of NUP lawyer Kakuru Tumusiime, who he said had previously recounted being tortured and questioned about why a Munyakole lawyer would represent Bobi Wine, a Muganda.
“Imagine the backwardness! This is a dark truth that we must confront,” Bobi Wine said, while accusing security agencies of subjecting opposition supporters to different forms of humiliation based on their ethnic backgrounds.
He also raised concerns about Muhoozi's position as UPDF commander, arguing that perceptions about ethnicity could influence decisions involving soldiers from different parts of Uganda.
Bobi Wine alleged that ethnic considerations were reflected in promotions, deployments and opportunities for military personnel to study abroad, although he did not provide evidence for the claims.
His remarks came after Rwanda's government distanced itself from Muhoozi's comments. Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo had criticised what she described as ethnic extremism, citing Rwanda's painful history and its efforts to promote national unity.
Bobi Wine welcomed the Rwandan position, saying Rwanda understood the dangers of state-sponsored ethnic divisions because of its history.
He urged Ugandans to remain united, arguing that ethnic and sectarian divisions should not determine the country's political future.