Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, is at the centre of a diplomatic storm. Iran’s mission in South Africa publicly ridiculed his claim. He had said Uganda could capture Tehran within two weeks.
On March 27, 2026, Gen Muhoozi posted on X: “It can’t take us more than 2 weeks to capture Tehran. A UPDF brigade is enough for that job.” He later deleted the message. By then, it had already sparked reactions far beyond Uganda’s borders.
The Embassy of Iran in South Africa hit back with a sarcastic post: “Ladies and gentlemen, the latest phenomenon to entertain you on Africa’s Got Talent.” The remark spread quickly online. It placed Uganda’s official communication under renewed scrutiny.
Muhoozi’s post also triggered reactions among Uganda’s senior leaders. Responding directly to Muhoozi’s post, Winnie Byanyima, an executive director of the UNAIDS, said: “Uganda is the laughing stock of Iran’s Embassy in South Africa!” She added: “This must stop. Ugandans, our national defence, our regional and international relations are too important to be managed like this!” and tagged President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
However, Adonia Ayebare, an ambassador and a permanent Representative of Uganda to the United Nations, pushed back against Byanyima’s remarks, writing: “International Civil servant, you have again inserted yourself in partisan domestic politics. Hope you’re willing to ride the tide. Why don’t you wait for the few months remaining to exit the UN instead of banishing the image of the organization.” He concluded with a local proverb: “Kahendekye teita Mbogo.”
The Tehran post was not Muhoozi’s first controversial statement that week. On March 26, 2026, he wrote: “Israel stood with us when we were nobodies in the 1980s and 1990s. Why wouldn’t we defend her now that our GDP is $100 billion? One of the largest in Africa.”
Israeli authorities have not commented. Israeli media, however, have reported on the development. Official figures also tell a different story on the economy. Uganda’s GDP stands at around $66.92 billion. That places it fourth in East Africa and 13th across the continent.
