Has US Apologized To Museveni As Muhoozi Ordered? U.S. Embassy Trashes Apology Claims To Museveni

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In a surprising turn of events, the American embassy in Kampala has categorically refuted circulating social media reports suggesting that the U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, William Popp, has issued an apology to President Yoweri Museveni.

These claims have emerged in the wake of a statement made by the Ugandan Army Chief and first son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who demanded such an apology.

“The narrative that has been circulated is entirely false. Neither the U.S. Embassy nor Ambassador Popp has received any formal request for an apology from the Ugandan government regarding any issue, nor has any apology been made. We ensure that all official statements are transparently communicated through our channels,” the Embassy stated on its official X account (formerly Twitter) on Monday.

The situation escalated when Kainerugaba took to social media on Friday, issuing an ultimatum to Ambassador Popp. He demanded an apology for what he described as “undiplomatic behavior” by Monday at 9 a.m. or else the Ambassador would be asked to leave the country.

“Fellow Ugandans, it is my solemn duty to announce that we, as a nation, are on the brink of a serious confrontation with the current U.S. Ambassador to our country. His actions have disrespected our beloved and celebrated President and undermined the Constitution of Uganda,” Kainerugaba posted, stirring considerable attention and controversy.

“If this current U.S. Ambassador does not apologize to Mzee personally by Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. for his undiplomatic behavior in our country, we will demand he leaves Uganda. We have no issues with the USA; as I have stated repeatedly, it is a country we love and admire. However, we have accumulated evidence suggesting that they have been working against the NRM government.”

Following Kainerugaba’s ultimatum, social media became flooded with manipulated images and videos purporting to show Ambassador Popp delivering an apology to President Museveni. This flurry of misinformation likely prompted the Embassy’s decisive statement to clarify the facts.

The altered images and videos have been identified as dating back to 2023, when Ambassador Popp first presented his credentials to President Museveni after taking over from former Ambassador Natalie Brown.

In an unexpected twist, Kainerugaba later deleted his posts, perhaps in light of the backlash.In response to Kainerugaba’s threats, the influential U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee issued a stern warning, cautioning that any further confrontation could lead to significant repercussions.

“Any further ‘confrontation’ will be very problematic and met with a serious response. U.S. Ambassador Popp and the U.S. Mission in Uganda engage with the government and other stakeholders in a non-partisan manner to foster improved relations between the American and Ugandan peoples,” they stated.

These developments occurred shortly after the U.S. government imposed sanctions on four high-ranking Ugandan police officers for human rights violations. These sanctions prevent the officers and their immediate family members from entering the United States, heightening tensions between the two nations.

U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized the U.S. commitment to supporting justice for victims of human rights abuses globally.

“This includes denying or restricting travel visas to individuals who have demonstrated evidence of committing abuses. As friendly nations, we maintain an open and honest dialogue with Ugandan authorities regarding the protection of human rights as defined in the Ugandan Constitution and international agreements,” he stated.

Reports have surfaced suggesting that Kainerugaba may have been unsettled by the sanctions, especially since one of the sanctioned officers is reportedly a close ally of his.

Additionally, other media outlets have hinted that Kainerugaba was further troubled by a letter purportedly sent by Ambassador Popp to Museveni, urging him not to seek re-election in the upcoming 2026 general elections.

As these events unfold, the diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and Uganda remains a focal point of scrutiny, with implications that could resonate across both nations in the coming days.

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