State Minister for Local Government Justine Nameere Nsubuga has apologized to Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba over a video clip that was maliciously edited to make it appear as though she was attacking him. The apology, issued on social media, brings a public dispute between the minister and the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) chairman to an end. Nameere stated that she had no intention of attacking Muhoozi and blamed "unscrupulous people" for manipulating the video.
The dispute was triggered by a video circulating on social media which appeared to show Nameere making remarks that were interpreted as being directed at Muhoozi. However, a longer version of the recording provided a different context, with Nameere addressing former PLU secretary general, Daudi Kabanda, rather than Muhoozi. This incident is not the first time Nameere has been involved in a controversy over a video clip, as she had earlier challenged the authenticity and interpretation of another clip linked to former Speaker Anita Among.
Muhoozi accepted the apology and announced that he had forgiven the minister, while directing PLU members to stop attacking her. He stated that he does not hold grudges against people and wished all well. The matter is now settled, according to Muhoozi. His directive is significant because several PLU supporters had joined the online exchanges surrounding Nameere, with the disagreement increasingly involving personalities beyond the original video.
The dispute had escalated after Muhoozi had publicly demanded that Nameere apologize to him. On September 16, Muhoozi gave Nameere seven days to apologize, warning that failure to do so would have consequences. Earlier, he had also said that if Nameere was "misbehaving", removing her from Cabinet would be straightforward. Nameere's apology has now changed the immediate direction of the confrontation, with both sides moving towards reconciliation.
Despite Muhoozi's call for peace, Kabanda's response showed that tensions between him and Nameere have a separate history. Kabanda stated that Nameere's previous criticism of him should not be separated from his role within PLU and his relationship with Muhoozi. He also responded to Nameere's questions about accountability for proceeds from Muhoozi's birthday run, stating that it had nothing to do with him.
The Nameere-Muhoozi dispute comes at a time when PLU is expanding its political mobilisation activities, with Muhoozi publicly declaring his intention to contest for the presidency in 2031. Kabanda subsequently announced that the PLU chairman would seek the presidency and said the decision had been sanctioned by President Yoweri Museveni. PLU has since embarked on a nationwide signature and mobilisation campaign in support of Muhoozi's political ambitions.
The apology has now changed the immediate direction of the confrontation, with Muhoozi stating that he "does not hold grudges" and his instruction to PLU supporters to stop attacking Nameere. Nameere's invocation of Proverbs 6:19 — "The Lord detests a false witness" — places her explanation firmly around the claim that the video was manipulated and used to create discord. The incident highlights the complex relationships between politicians and groups in Uganda's current political landscape.
Key points
- - Uganda's State Minister for Local Government, Justine Nameere, apologizes to Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba over a manipulated video. - The apology brings a public dispute between the minister and the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) chairman to an end. - Muhoozi accepted the apology and directed PLU members to stop attacking Nameere.
