Uganda Gives US Ambassador Ultimatum to Apologize or Leave

By Tata Mbunwe

Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has asked the US Ambassador, William Popp, to apologize to his father, President Yoweri Museveni, or leave the country, local media have reported.

He accused Ambassador Popp of disrespecting President Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he said the diplomat must personally apologize to his father or leave the country by 9.00am on Monday, October 7.

“If this current US Ambassador does not apologize to Mzee personally by Monday morning (9.00am) for his undiplomatic behaviour in our country we will demand he leaves Uganda. We have no problem with the USA, as I have said many times it is a country we love and admire. But lately…,” he is quoted to have said.

In another tweet on Friday, October 4, he said the action had nothing to do with his relationship with his father Museveni, but was “national issue”.

“This is not a personal issue between me and the current US Ambassador, this is a national issue and you’ll see that NO foreign country will ever dominate Uganda again!” he wrote.

He did not state exactly what the US Ambassador had done wrong.

Ambassador Popp took residence in Uganda last year amid strained relations between the county and the United States.

Earlier this year, the US Government sanctioned several Ugandan officials for human rights abuses, including torture, further straining diplomatic ties.

President Yoweri Museveni is among the longest serving Presidents in Africa, and has been endorsed by the ruling National Resistance Movement party for a 7th term come 2026.

According to local media, his son, Gen. Muhoozi, who was also vying for Presidency recently backed out of the 2026 elections bid to endorse his 80-year-old father, who came to power through a military coup in 1986.