KAMPALA, Uganda — Member of Parliament representing older persons in Eastern Uganda, Ofwono Opondo, has refused to apologise to Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, responding to a seven-day ultimatum with a defiant message that has drawn fresh attention to tensions within Uganda’s political establishment.
Opondo, a former government spokesperson and long-serving supporter of President Yoweri Museveni, made it clear that he would not be intimidated by the demand, even after Muhoozi warned that he would teach him a lesson.
The confrontation began on November 5 when Muhoozi took to X, demanding that Opondo apologise to him on his knees within seven days.
“I hear Ofwono Opondo has a death wish. I’m giving him exactly 7 days to apologize on his knees to me,” Muhoozi wrote.
In a separate post, the military chief referred to the legislator by his initials, O.O., accusing him of repeatedly insulting him and warning that he would teach him who he was.
Opondo responded on November 6, dismissing the suggestion that he had expressed a death wish while making a pointed reference to his preferred burial place.
“I have not made my death wish, but if this is accurate, the 7th day will find me in Mulanda-Ayago, my preferred burial ground,” he wrote.
In the same post, Opondo tagged President Museveni, Parliament, Speaker Jacob Oboth-Oboth and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, effectively drawing the country’s top political and parliamentary leadership into the public exchange.
The disagreement took another turn later on Friday after Muhoozi claimed he had heard that Opondo had fled the country, adding that he would be waiting for him when he returned.
Opondo dismissed the claim, saying he had not fled Uganda but was away on official parliamentary duties and would return as scheduled.
The latest confrontation follows months of criticism by Opondo over Muhoozi’s public conduct, political ambitions and the activities of his supporters in the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU).
Opondo has questioned the wisdom of early political endorsements of Muhoozi for a possible 2031 presidential bid, arguing that such campaigns amount to a vote of no confidence in Museveni, who has only recently secured another term in office.
He has also urged Muhoozi and his supporters to embrace dialogue and tolerance, arguing that a future leader should seek to be loved rather than feared.
His criticism has extended to allegations of human rights violations, particularly the treatment of detainees by security personnel. Opondo has called for greater accountability and respect for the rights of citizens.
The latest dispute appears to have been triggered, at least in part, by differing accounts of how retired Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu surrendered to security authorities.
Opondo had questioned the circumstances surrounding Elwelu’s surrender, suggesting that it could have involved a negotiated arrangement. Muhoozi, however, maintained that the retired general surrendered on his orders.
The exchange places Opondo among several prominent Ugandans who have previously faced demands from Muhoozi to apologise over public remarks.
In October, Minister of Water and Environment Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire faced an ultimatum after parliamentary remarks that Muhoozi interpreted as directed at him. Otafiire did not issue the demanded apology.
Minister of Health Dr. Chris Baryomunsi has also had public disagreements with the military chief. In February, Muhoozi threatened that Baryomunsi would never be a minister again after the latter said the army chief’s social media posts did not represent official government policy. The two later exchanged further accusations, with Muhoozi demanding an apology over earlier remarks by the minister.
Human rights activist Praise Aloikin Opoloje also featured in previous confrontations over criticism directed at the military chief.
Opondo’s position is particularly noteworthy given his longstanding association with the ruling National Resistance Movement. He served as government spokesperson for years before entering Parliament and has remained an influential voice in political communication.
His decision to publicly reject the ultimatum therefore raises broader questions about freedom of expression, the relationship between military leadership and civilian political institutions, and the place of serving military officers in Uganda’s political discourse.
The seven-day deadline issued by Muhoozi remains in effect but signs remain clear that Opondo has no intention of apologising.
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