We will kill NUP uniform wearers, says Muhoozi

By James Kabengwa

KAMPALA. Uganda’s Controversial Chief of defence forces and son of President Yoweri Museveni, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has issued a chilling warning to all UP uniform wearers saying all will be killed.

”From now on, if we find ANYONE wearing a NUP uniform, we will kill them! No questions!” Muhoozi posted on his X handle on Saturday night.

The threat, has escalated uneasiness among the opposition with already dozens of NUP supporters abducted and their whereabouts unknown.

Uganda’s political climate is volatile where opposition groups face intensifying repression.

The National Unity Platform (NUP), led by pop star-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, has grown rapidly since 2020, capitalizing on youth discontent over unemployment and Museveni’s 39 year rule, now increasingly becoming tyrant.

NUP’s signature red berets and red-striped attire have become symbols of resistance, prompting the government without any law citation to criminalize the attire citing “illegitimate paramilitarism.”

Despite arrests and crackdowns, NUP supporters continued donning the garb, framing it as peaceful dissent. Hundreds of NUP supporters have been jailed, most without trial for years.

Muhoozi’s Saturday declaration reflects the government’s hardening stance on NUP.

UK based NUP supporter Richard Kizza suggest the military, long accused of partisan loyalty to Museveni’s regime, aims to quash NUP’s visibility ahead of 2026 elections.

On Friday, Security forces have previously raided NUP offices, detained activists, and allegedly tortured. Two NUP offices were Friday raided and their files taken by security agents who claimed they acted on intelligence NUP were training militants.

Human Rights Watch has variously condemned the raids on NUP as a “green light for extrajudicial killings,” while NUP has accused Muhoozi of “state terrorism.”

Muhoozi’s rhetoric, however, resonates with hardliners framing NUP as destabilizing. Pro-government media activists link the party to “foreign-backed chaos,” though evidence remains scant. Meanwhile, NUP denies violence, asserting their struggle is constitutional.

International observers warn Uganda risks spiraling deeper into autocracy.

The U.S. and EU have sanctioned officials for rights abuses, but Museveni’s alliance with regional powers buffers external pressure.

For ordinary Ugandans, Muhoozi’s words signal darker days.

“Wearing red could be a death sentence now.” Mr Kizza said.