Muhoozi threatens diplomatic fallout with Turkey who he described as pigs over activist blogger Lumbuye

Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has sparked fresh diplomatic tensions after issuing a series of strongly worded statements targeting Turkey over the status of government critic Fred Lumbuye.

In posts shared on social media, Gen. Muhoozi warned that Uganda could take retaliatory measures if Turkish authorities do not hand over Lumbuye, who has been living in exile and is wanted by Kampala on a range of charges. The army chief went as far as threatening to expel Ankara’s envoy, describing the ambassador in derogatory terms.

“I’m going to finish with Turkey soon…they must produce Lumbuye to us soon. Or else I will expel their extremely USELESS Ambassador!” Muhoozi posted on his X.

The remarks also referenced exiled writer Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, with Muhoozi suggesting that critics abroad would face unspecified consequences if they continued to challenge the Ugandan state.

“As for the IDIOTS Lumbuye, Kakwenza etc who think this is the same Uganda they remember…I have a special surprise for them,” he said in another X post.

In an escalation that may strain bilateral relations, Muhoozi accused Turkish authorities of issuing threats and vowed that any further action against Uganda would be met with a firm response.

His comments included inflammatory language directed at Turkey and its leadership, raising concerns among observers about the tone and potential diplomatic repercussions.

“Africans are used to bowing down to PIGS like the Turks! I’m not scared of them. They should be scared of us! Any more threats against us will be met with consequences!” he tweeted.

The statements, which also veered into personal claims, have not been formally echoed by the Ugandan government. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not issued an official response by press time.

Uganda and Turkey have in recent years maintained growing economic and diplomatic ties, with Ankara expanding its footprint in East Africa through trade, construction, and infrastructure projects.

Analysts warn that such public exchanges could undermine those gains if not addressed through formal diplomatic channels.

This is the second time in less than a month that Muhoozi is having a go at Turkey. A meeting in Kampala on April 13th 2026 between Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odongo Jeje Abubakhar, and Turkey’s ambassador to Uganda Amb. Mehmet Fatih is speculated to have been driven by Muhoozi’s social media rants.

However, the foreign affairs ministry said the meeting centered on strengthening bilateral ties between Uganda and Türkiye, with a particular focus on deepening economic cooperation and people to people ties.

Muhoozi has also had a social media fight with Iran. In social media posts, Muhoozi has not hidden his admiration and support for Israel and the US, countries at war with Iran.

In a move seen as a mission to protest Muhoozi’s behavious, Majid Saffar, the Iranian Ambassador to Uganda, held a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni in Kyankwanzi. Museveni said they discussed issues of mutual interest and cooperation between Uganda and Iran.