Rwanda has rejected ethnic references made by Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, saying the country has spent decades moving away from divisive ethnic politics.
Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo said Rwanda had seen the social-media posts and the concerns they raised, stressing that the country did not agree with their ethnic framing.
The response followed posts published by Gen Muhoozi on X during a public dispute with his brother-in-law, Odrek Rwabwogo.
In one of the posts, Muhoozi questioned whether Rwabwogo was a Muhima and suggested that he might be a Muhutu because of his behaviour.
Muhoozi also referred to Hutu, Tutsi and Twa identities and later brought President Paul Kagame, whom he frequently calls “my uncle”, into the ethnic discussion. He subsequently deleted the posts.
Ugandan lawyer Ivan Mwijukye questioned how Rwanda viewed the remarks and whether Rwandans, given the country’s experience with ethnic politics, considered them deeply offensive or potentially harmful.
Responding to Mwijukye, Makolo said: “We saw that post and the questions it raised, and we do not agree with the ethnic extremism expressed.”
She said people were free to hold opinions about Rwanda but should not misrepresent Rwandans or associate the country with ethnic thinking that contradicts its chosen direction.
Makolo added that if the posts concerned an internal Ugandan matter, they should have remained within that context without drawing Rwanda into the dispute.
She reiterated that Rwanda does not subscribe to ethnic extremism and has invested considerable effort in leaving such politics behind.
Makolo said Rwanda’s national vision and its work over the 32 years since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi have centred on uniting Rwandans. She said the country would continue safeguarding national unity as a fundamental political choice.
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