'There Is No Shame in Hanging a Traitor' - Muhoozi Escalates Rhetoric Against Besigye

What’s wrong with Besigye? Is he scared of the gallows? - Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba

The Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has launched a series of inflammatory attacks on Dr Kizza Besigye, reiterating his desire to execute him on charges of treason.

In his posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, Muhoozi also mocked Besigye’s health condition.

“There is no shame in hanging a traitor,” Muhoozi posted, adding, “Be assured if I do decide to hang Besigye, I will do it in broad daylight.”

Muhoozi, who is also the first son, has recently vowed that Besigye would only leave Luzira prison “in a coffin or on his knees.”

The rhetoric comes amidst increasing concern for Besigye’s health. The opposition stalwart appeared frail and disturbingly weak during a court session on Thursday.

Reports indicate that Besigye has been on hunger strike in protest against his continued detention, worsening his already precarious physical state.

“What’s wrong with Besigye? Is he scared of the gallows?” Muhoozi taunted in one of his posts, further inflaming tensions in the politically charged environment.

On the streets of Kampala, boots have been deployed with heavy military presence. It remains unclear for what reason security is being reinforced.

Besigye’s continued detention has pushed the government’s disregard for judicial rulings on the wall. On January 31, 2025, the Supreme Court outlawed the trial of civilians in military courts, a practice deemed unconstitutional.

However, the government has failed to implement this decision, with Besigye being one of several high-profile figures still facing military persecution.

Muhoozi insists Besigye has tried to kill his father, President Museveni.

Besigye, who has been detained multiple times over the years for his outspoken criticism of President Museveni’s regime, is accused of treachery - a charge that attracts the maximum sentence of death.