Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has once again drawn regional attention after expressing confidence that he will one day become President of Uganda and use that position to bring together Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi to address long-standing tensions in the Great Lakes region.
In a message posted on X, the Ugandan military chief said that while he currently serves as the head of Uganda’s armed forces, he believes his future lies in national leadership. He stated that once he becomes president, he intends to invite both leaders for direct talks aimed at resolving issues that have strained relations in the region for years.
“Right now I am the Chief of Defence Forces of Uganda. But one day soon I will be the President of Uganda, and I will call my uncle President Kagame and my elder brother President Tshisekedi so that these problems can be solved,” Muhoozi wrote.
The statement reflects the personal language Muhoozi often uses when referring to regional leaders. He frequently describes President Kagame as his “uncle” and President Tshisekedi as his “elder brother,” highlighting what he portrays as close personal relationships despite ongoing diplomatic and security challenges in the region.
His remarks come at a time when multiple peace initiatives are underway to address instability in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where conflicts involving armed groups and government forces continue to fuel insecurity. Although Muhoozi’s comments represent his personal vision, they underscore his continued advocacy for dialogue and regional cooperation as tools for conflict resolution.
The statement also came only hours after Muhoozi played a role in defusing a public dispute involving Ugandan music star Bebe Cool and former Miss Rwanda 2016, Mutesi Jolly.
Bebe Cool revealed that he received a phone call from Gen. Muhoozi advising him to stop discussing the matter publicly and instead seek a peaceful resolution away from social media.
According to the singer, Muhoozi encouraged both parties to avoid public confrontations and settle their differences privately. Bebe Cool later confirmed that he accepted the advice and removed the posts that had fueled the controversy.
The dispute began when the Ugandan artist accused Mutesi Jolly of deceiving him and taking advantage of him financially following interactions that allegedly started after they met in London while attending an Arsenal versus Manchester United match in 2025.
Mutesi Jolly strongly denied the allegations, insisting that the individual involved may have impersonated her. In response, Bebe Cool published what he claimed were WhatsApp conversations between himself and the person he believed to be Jolly.
The controversy escalated further when the singer publicly called on President Paul Kagame to investigate the matter, arguing that the incident reflected poorly on Rwanda’s image.
Jolly later responded by issuing a legal demand, giving Bebe Cool 48 hours to delete the accusations and publicly apologize. She warned that failure to comply would result in legal action.
Following Muhoozi’s intervention, however, Bebe Cool deleted all of his posts related to the dispute, signaling a willingness to pursue a less confrontational approach.
The two developments have once again placed Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba at the center of regional conversations. Whether discussing security challenges in the Great Lakes region or mediating disputes involving prominent public figures, he continues to project himself as a voice for dialogue and reconciliation.
As speculation about his future political ambitions persists, supporters view him as a potential regional bridge-builder, while critics regard his statements as personal opinions rather than official policy. Either way, his latest comments have ensured that his influence remains a topic of discussion across East Africa.
