The tweets by Commander Land Forces Lt. Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba have often left many confused and speculating about whether or not he manages his account.
The concerns rose when he used his Twitter account to support the Tigray People’s Liberation Force (TPDF) rebels accusing the Ethiopian government of human rights violations.
The statements proved to the Ethiopian media, military officials, and social media reports that Uganda is extending financial and technical support to the rebels.
This prompted Defence minister Vincent Ssempijja, Chief of Defence Forces Gen Wilson Mbadi, and diplomats to fly to Ethiopia and meet top Ethiopian military officers to distance the UPDF from the first son’s opinions.
Speaking to the BBC Focus on Africa on Monday, the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) spokesperson, asserted that the opinions of the Commander of Land Forces about the Ethiopian Tigray rebels are his and not of the army.
Still questioning the controversial tweets, The RX Radio presenter James Onen suspected that Gen Muhoozi's Twitter account could be used to understand public opinions about certain political happenings.
“I think that maybe this is just a tactic. The Twitter account of the commander of Land forces might be used as a barometer to gauge public opinion about certain activities, and depending on public reactions, the government can affirm or deny their position on that subject,” Fatboy said.
Olive Najjuma, a co-presenter on the show if so, wondered what the purpose of supporting the Tigray rebels was, in this case, and the interests Uganda harbors in Ethiopia. But also, she said the Ugandan army likes to boost itself as the strongest in East Africa and is always ready to serve in other regions and provide support where it deems fit.
However, she also gave credence to the assumption that the Commander Land Forces might be using his Twitter account carelessly given how he acquired the position in the army and the family he belongs to.
The Fatboy show is hosted by James Onen aka Fatboy, Olive, and Sarah every weekday from 6 am to 10 am on RX Radio.
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