General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces and son of President Yoweri Museveni, declared on X that he will prevent former DRC President Joseph Kabila from returning to power. His statement, “I will not let Joseph Kabila become a President of DRC again! You can forget about that,” has sparked widespread attention across East and Central Africa.
Kabila, who led the DRC from 2001 to 2019 after his father Laurent Kabila’s assassination, is rumored to be planning a political comeback. Despite stepping down in 2019, many believe he still wields influence through his political party. Muhoozi’s blunt remark appears to target these speculations, though he did not clarify how he intends to block Kabila’s return.
The statement risks straining Uganda-DRC relations, which have included cooperation against rebel groups in eastern Congo. Congolese analyst Jean-Claude Kasongo criticized the comment, stating, “DRC’s leadership is for Congolese to decide, not foreigners.” Muhoozi’s history of provocative X posts, including past remarks about Kenya and Rwanda, adds to the controversy, raising questions about whether his views reflect Uganda’s official stance.
As of April 26, 2025, no official responses have come from Kabila, the DRC government, or Kampala. The silence suggests caution to avoid escalating tensions. Observers are watching closely, as the statement could impact regional diplomacy and stability in the Great Lakes region.
