KAMPALA — State Minister for Local Government Justine Nameere Nsubuga has apologised to Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba over a video clip that she said was maliciously edited to make it appear that she had directed critical remarks at him.
The apology followed a 72-hour ultimatum issued by Gen Muhoozi on Sunday, September 20, in which he demanded that Nameere apologise or face removal from her ministerial position.
In a post on X, Nameere said the video had been manipulated and insisted that she had not attacked the army chief.
“My sincere apology to Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba regarding a video that unscrupulous people maliciously edited and put your name! I can NEVER attack you my Brother! Heshima,” Nameere wrote.
She added: “For those who seek to sow dicord, Proverbs Chapter 6:19 says ‘The Lord detests a false witness’.”
The dispute centred on a short video circulating online in which Nameere appeared to criticise Gen Muhoozi over interference in the affairs of National Resistance Movement (NRM) legislators.
However, reports citing a longer version of the recording indicated that Nameere was addressing Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) Secretary General and Kasambya County MP Daudi Kabanda, rather than Gen Muhoozi. The section identifying Kabanda as the subject of her remarks was reportedly absent from the shorter clip.
Muhoozi Accepts Apology
Gen Muhoozi subsequently accepted Nameere’s apology and declared the dispute settled.
“I have hereby forgiven my dear sister Hon. Justine Nameere. I do not hold grudges against people. I wish all well. The matter is settled,” he said.
He also directed members of PLU to stop attacking the minister.
“PLU is instructed to stop attacking her from this day on,” Muhoozi added.
Kabanda later said he would comply with the directive.
“My boss Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba Museveni has directed me to leave Hon Nameere. I have to comply with the directive,” Kabanda posted on X, according to Pulse Uganda.
Dispute Had Escalated
The latest ultimatum followed an earlier seven-day demand issued by Muhoozi on September 16.
“I’m giving Nameere exactly seven days to apologise to me. If she doesn’t, nothing will save her,” he wrote at the time.
On September 20, he shortened the deadline to 72 hours and said failure to apologise would result in Nameere being removed from her ministerial position.
The dispute came amid wider disagreements between Nameere and PLU figures, particularly Kabanda, dating back to political contests within the ruling NRM earlier this year. Kabanda has also challenged Nameere’s election to the Masaka City Woman MP seat.
Nameere, who is also the Masaka City Woman MP, has previously complained about the circulation of edited videos involving her.
Earlier in September, she denied another video suggesting that she was organising a celebration for former Speaker Anita Among. She said that footage had been extracted from an older video recorded in May and presented without its original context.
The latest episode has now been brought to an end, with Muhoozi accepting Nameere’s apology and instructing PLU members to stop attacking her.
