Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has reignited regional tensions by mocking Kenya’s leadership in the Haiti peace mission.
In a barrage of blunt and boastful tweets, Muhoozi claimed Uganda could succeed where Kenya has allegedly failed, calling for the UN to cancel Kenya’s role and hand over operations to Uganda.
His remarks, made as the mission marked one year of deployment, have sparked renewed debate about the mission’s impact—and whether Kenya is truly up to the task.
Kenya Under Fire Over Failed Haiti Mission
Kenya’s leadership in the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti has come under intense criticism from Uganda’s top general and presidential son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba. In an online rant on his official X (formerly Twitter) page, Muhoozi launched a stinging rebuke of Kenya’s efforts to stabilize the gang-plagued Caribbean nation.
“It would take us one month to capture Port-au-Prince,” Muhoozi declared, suggesting that Uganda’s People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) would be more effective than the Kenyan police officers currently on the ground.
Muhoozi alleged that the Kenyan-led mission had failed, urging the United Nations to revoke Nairobi’s involvement and instead hand over operational control to Uganda. “The Kenyans have failed after nearly 2 years… that’s what we expected. The UN is welcome to offer us favourable terms,” he posted.
His bold statements were made just as the MSS marked its one-year anniversary, raising questions about whether the mission has achieved its goals or if it has become a symbolic gesture with limited real impact.
UN Alarm Raises Doubts About Kenya’s Role
Muhoozi’s comments coincided with a stark warning from the United Nations. On the same day as the Ugandan General’s remarks, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed serious concerns about the deteriorating security situation in Haiti.
Guterres noted that the progress made by the MSS mission could be short-lived unless more resources and support are urgently mobilized. While some key wins have been recorded—like regaining control of hospitals, schools, and the international airport in Port-au-Prince—gang violence remains rampant, and the Haitian National Police (HNP) remains overstretched.
Kenya deployed 800 officers to Haiti in May 2025, committing to support the HNP in the face of gang brutality. The officers have since participated in operations to stabilize key zones, working alongside counterparts from other countries.
However, Muhoozi dismissed the efforts as ineffective. He even went as far as to suggest Uganda was ready to “rescue our Kenyan brothers” from a situation he believes they are unable to control.
A History of Loose Talk and Diplomatic Friction
This isn’t the first time Muhoozi has stirred up regional controversy with his social media posts. In 2022, he tweeted that the UPDF could capture Nairobi in just two weeks—an inflammatory statement that forced his father, President Yoweri Museveni, to issue a formal apology to Kenya.
While Muhoozi’s online presence is often written off as the musings of a loose cannon, his position as head of Uganda’s military makes his words carry serious weight. His latest outburst raises diplomatic tensions and potentially undermines Kenya’s standing within the international peacekeeping community.
Kenya’s government has so far avoided a public response to the comments, likely trying to contain the fallout and avoid a fresh diplomatic row with Kampala. But the criticism is already feeding public skepticism about the effectiveness of Kenya’s role in Haiti, especially as the mission nears its July 2025 review.
Is Kenya’s Haiti Mission Falling Apart?
Muhoozi’s comments may be offensive, but they also reflect real frustrations within the region—and within international circles—about the Haiti operation’s effectiveness. The mission was supposed to be a flagship example of African leadership in global peacekeeping. Instead, it now faces doubts about its direction and leadership.
Kenya’s choice to lead the mission was historic. It was a statement that Africa can solve global problems. But with deteriorating security in Haiti and UN warnings about limited resources, that promise now looks fragile.
The idea of Uganda stepping in adds a new layer of complexity. While Uganda has a strong record in regional military operations, especially in Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, handing over such a high-profile international mission is not just a logistical issue—it’s a political one.
