Kenya newspaper makes U-turn on Gen Kainerugaba after backlash

NAIROBI - The Standard newspaper in Kenya has made a U-turn on the chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba after facing a backlash over comments it made about him last month.

Its lead story, “Four-star brat”, on Friday, February 28, 2025, contained what Gen. Muhoozi and his Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) supporters said were insulting remarks about him.

Earlier today (Tuesday (March 4), a series of posts were sent from the newspaper’s verified X account, which has 2.6 million followers.

“Following our publication on Muhoozi Kainerugaba, fresh details have emerged on the General known for being both tough and fun. Muhoozi, reputed to mean business, is respected by his peers and across the rank and file. Yet, he also has a taste for the finer things in life,” it said in one of the posts.

The newspaper also published a series of posts highlighting Gen Kainerugaba's military journey including the March 2024 appointment as the  Chief of Defence Forces (UPDF).

The PLU, which Gen. Kainerugaba leads as chairman, had vowed to demonstrate, protesting the newspaper article published on Friday, February 28.
  
“We are still analysing this apology; we shall give our response later. Our peaceful demonstration scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday) still stands,” David Kabanda, the PLU’s secretary general and Kasambya County ruling party MP, replied to the newspaper’s U-turn post.

Son of President Yoweri Museveni, Gen. Kainerugaba who is also Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, in a comment on social media  X  “We are taking action on neo-colonial media based in Kenya like @StandardKenya. It is going to be completely banned in Uganda.”

Balaam Barugahara, the PLU’s vice chairman of western Uganda who doubles as the state minister for youth and children affairs, said the newspaper’s publication of, “fake news has shown blatant disrespect towards our supreme leader, Gen. Muhoozi”.

“We demand accountability for their actions and suggest a temporary or permanent ban in Uganda and friendly countries unless they’re willing to rectify their actions,” he posted.