The head of the Ugandan Armed Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also the son of President Yoweri Museveni, has demanded $1 billion from Turkey and the “most beautiful woman” as his wife. Kainerugaba claimed that Uganda’s contribution to regional security efforts had not been recognized and that he should receive financial compensation.
He has also threatened to sever diplomatic relations with Turkey and close its embassy in Kampala within 30 days if his demands are not met. Kainerugaba doesn’t stop there. He also made a particularly controversial request, asking Turkey to hand over “the most beautiful woman in the country,” saying he would marry her.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni
In a series of posts on X, Kainerugaba accused Turkey of profiting from business and infrastructure projects in Somalia, including ports and airports in the capital, Mogadishu. He claimed that while Turkey was profiting from these projects, Uganda had borne a heavy security responsibility for many years.
Uganda has deployed troops to Somalia for nearly two decades as part of African Union missions, mainly to combat the militant group Al-Shabaab, which is affiliated with Al-Qaeda.
Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, said his country should receive $1 billion from Turkey as a "security dividend". "For Turkey, it's a very simple deal... Either they pay us, or I close their embassy here. They can send us back and close our embassy in Turkey too. No problem," he said in his posts on X.
Kampala, the capital of Uganda
Ankara, the capital of Turkey
He further advises Ugandans to avoid traveling to Turkey for security reasons, while at the same time expressing support for Israel, adding: "I am ready to send 100,000 Ugandan soldiers to Israel, under my command, to defend the Holy Land - the land of Jesus Christ, our God."
This is not the first time Kainerugaba has made unusual statements.
In October 2022, he publicly said he was willing to offer 100 Ankole cows, which he described as "the most beautiful cows on Earth," in exchange for the hand of Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni.
