Soon Otafiire Will Be History In Uganda’s Politics — Gen Muhoozi’s Boy Andrew Mwenda Tells As PLU Moves To Remove Him From Cabinet

Veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda has predicted that Internal Affairs Minister Kahinda Otafiire could soon lose his political influence, claiming that the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) is preparing to challenge his position in Uganda’s politics. Mwenda made the remarks while discussing the long-running tensions between Otafiire and Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces.

Speaking on lawyer Telly Kahuma’s podcast, Mwenda said Otafiire would struggle to defeat any candidate backed by PLU in his home region of Greater Bushenyi. He argued that the veteran politician’s influence should not be mistaken for an ability to overcome a coordinated political challenge.

Mwenda also revisited a meeting held at Gen Salim Saleh’s base in Kapeeka, Nakaseke District, which was reportedly convened at President Yoweri Museveni’s instigation to calm tensions between Otafiire and Muhoozi. According to Mwenda, he accompanied Muhoozi to the meeting, where the participants were expected to find common ground and end their public disagreements.

Mwenda claimed that Otafiire arrived late and, instead of apologising, launched into an extended address defending his position. He said the minister argued that he had no personal problem with Muhoozi, whom he considered too young to pose a threat to him. Mwenda further alleged that he challenged Otafiire to show greater respect towards Muhoozi, a confrontation he says damaged their longstanding friendship.

The journalist maintained that PLU was now prepared to challenge Otafiire politically, arguing that the minister was more vulnerable than many people believed. He pointed to the 2016 Ruhinda parliamentary contest, in which Capt Donozio Kahonda defeated Otafiire, as an example he believes demonstrates the minister’s electoral vulnerabilities. Mwenda also named former minister and Sheema MP Elioda Tumwesigye as a potential political figure who could gain prominence in the region with PLU support.

Mwenda went further, accusing Otafiire of relying on President Museveni’s longstanding personal relationship with him to maintain his political standing. He suggested that the historical ties between the two leaders, dating back to the FRONASA struggle in the 1970s, had helped shield Otafiire from political challenges. These remarks reflect Mwenda’s assessment of the relationship and were not independently established in the material provided.

The journalist also raised allegations involving a land dispute in Munyonyo and businessman Hamdan Khan, claiming that Otafiire had used his influence against Khan. Mwenda recounted how he allegedly intervened to secure Khan’s release after his arrest and claimed that security operatives attempted to rearrest him following a court decision granting him bail. The allegations are serious and remain claims attributed to Mwenda; no response from Otafiire was included in the information provided.

Mwenda concluded that PLU could weaken Otafiire’s political influence and potentially push for his removal from Cabinet, suggesting that Tumwesigye could emerge as a replacement. He also claimed the organisation had the capacity to challenge Otafiire’s parliamentary position before the end of his current term. However, the outcome of any such effort remains uncertain, and Otafiire’s response to Mwenda’s latest remarks was not provided.