Muhoozi drops Gashumba, announces Mwenda as spokesperson

First son General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has announced Veteran Journalist Andrew Mwenda as spokesperson of his group.

The revelation was made on the 4 star general official twitter handle;

“I’m happy to announce that Mr.Andrew Mwenda is the official spokesperson for the MK Army/Movement. All our statements will go through his office.” Muhoozi said

In November 2022, at an event held in Kampala, a group that called itself the Muhoozi army voted Frank Gashumba as Media and communications director and Igara west MP Michael Mawanda as Chairman of the group.

Muhoozi, who is a son to President Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Kaguta Museveni has expressed his interest succeeding his father as president of Uganda.

In an October 2022 tweet Muhoozi said they had been under-looked because of age but were now on their way to rule Uganda.

Other appointments made by Muhoozi include Balaam Barugahare as spokesperson for Western Uganda and Daudi Kabanda as Buganda spokesperson.

Muhoozi and Mwenda

Andrew Mwenda in Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s office

In January 2022, Andrew Mwenda was under fire for a viral video in which he was seen wearing UPDF uniform while not being an army officer.

The video caused debate on social media with many blaming the army for exhibiting double standards because it has previously arrested some people for being in possession of military wares like uniforms.

In the eye of this storm, Muhoozi stood up for the Journalist saying he was a fan of the UPDF and therefore was okayed to wear the uniform.

“My bro Mwenda is part of the massive fan base that UPDF has because of the great work we do. They want to wear our uniforms, hold our guns and even pretend to fly our aircrafts. It means nothing,” Muhoozi tweeted

Andrew Mwenda in UPDF uniform in January 2022

The UPDF spokesperson, Brig Flavia Byekwaso said there are circumstances under which a civilians are allowed to put on a military uniform, adding that the same could be true with regards to Mwenda’s case.

“I want to believe that Andrew(Mwenda) had prior permission. We must take cognisant of the fact that the law allows a civilian to don a military uniform. Article 160 of the UPDF Act talks about circumstances under which a civilian can put on a military uniform. I want the public to know this provision is there,”Byekwaso said.

Andrew Mwenda is a Ugandan print, radio and television journalist, and the founder and owner of The Independent, a current affairs newsmagazine. He was previously the political editor of The Daily Monitor, a Ugandan daily newspaper, and was the presenter of Andrew Mwenda Live on KFM Radio in Kampala, Uganda’s capital city.