General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and President Museveni’s son, has officially left X (formerly Twitter). This marks the end of ten years on the platform, where his posts often sparked heated discussions both locally and abroad.
Before deleting his account on January 9, 2025, Muhoozi explained why he was leaving. He said Jesus Christ had instructed him to step back from social media and focus on his military duties. “To all my dear followers, it has been a great whirlwind and rousing journey together on these streets for the last 10 years since 2014. However, the time has now come under the instructions and blessings of my Lord Jesus Christ to leave and concentrate on His army, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF),” he wrote.
He also thanked his followers for their support and promised they’d “re-converge” in the future after he completes his mission of bringing “everlasting peace and security” to the region.
Muhoozi’s relationship with social media has always been a mix of controversy and influence. One of his most memorable moments was in October 2022, when he tweeted that he could capture Nairobi in two weeks. The comment caused a diplomatic fallout between Uganda and Kenya, forcing President Museveni to apologize and reshuffle Muhoozi’s role in the military.
But it hasn’t all been bad. Muhoozi has also used X to promote peace and cooperation in East Africa. He’s shared ideas about improving ties with countries like Rwanda and Kenya, and he’s positioned himself as a supporter of Pan-African unity. These posts have earned him praise from his fans, even as critics questioned his intentions.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Muhoozi has said he’s quitting social media. He’s left before, only to come back, stirring speculation about his political ambitions. This latest exit is no different. Some think he’s using it as a chance to focus on his military career, while others believe it’s part of a strategy to clean up his image ahead of a potential leadership bid. After all, he’s hinted in the past about following in his father’s footsteps as Uganda’s next president.
Even though he’s stepping away for now, Muhoozi left the door open for a return. “At an appropriate time in the future… we shall always re-converge,” he wrote. Whether this is a goodbye or just a pause, only time will tell.