The US Ambassador to Uganda, William Popp, is in a tough spot. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces, has said that Popp must apologize to President Yoweri Museveni or he will have to leave the country. This situation has sparked a lot of interest and concern.
Since Popp took on his role as the ambassador in September 2023, tensions have grown between the US and Uganda. Several Ugandan officials have recently been placed under US sanctions, which means they are being punished by the US government for things like human rights violations, including torture. Just this week, four high-ranking police officers in Uganda were blacklisted by the US State Department for their actions.
Kainerugaba took to social media to express his anger. He accused Ambassador Popp of showing disrespect to President Museveni and undermining Uganda’s constitution. In his posts, he demanded that Popp apologize to the president by Monday morning at 9 AM. If he doesn’t, Kainerugaba threatened to push for the ambassador’s removal from Uganda.
The general made it clear that Uganda has a strong affection for the US and wants to maintain a good relationship. However, he believes that the US has been working against Uganda’s government, known as the National Resistance Movement (NRM), which has been in power since 1986.
Kainerugaba, who has plans to run for president in 2026, stressed that this issue is about national pride. He stated, “No foreign country will ever dominate Uganda again,” referring to Uganda’s past as a British colony from 1894 to 1962.
Although Kainerugaba did not provide specific details about what actions by the ambassador led to his demands, the situation is tense. As of now, Ambassador Popp has not responded to the ultimatum.
This conflict is particularly noteworthy because it highlights the delicate balance of power and diplomacy between Uganda and the United States. With Kainerugaba recently declaring himself a “Putinist” and expressing loyalty to Russia, it raises questions about Uganda’s future political alliances.
As the deadline for the ambassador to apologize approaches, many are left wondering: What will happen next? Will Ambassador Popp apologize, or will he face the possibility of being sent home? The coming days will be crucial in determining the fate of this diplomatic relationship.
