Jimmy Akena Warns Muhoozi: One Day You'll Be a Former First Son!

As CDF Muhoozi Kainerugaba faces mounting criticism over the abductions of government critics, allegations of torture, and the shutdown of independent media houses, a powerful warning has now come from someone who knows exactly what it means to be the son of a president. Jimmy Akena, the son of former Ugandan President Milton Obote, has delivered a sobering message to Muhoozi—one that cuts through the power and privilege surrounding Uganda's First Family. Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Akena reminded Muhoozi that the authority, military might, and state protection he enjoys today are not permanent. One day, he said, Muhoozi will simply be another former First Son. When that day comes, the soldiers, motorcades, and extraordinary powers he commands today may no longer be there to shield him. Akena urged Muhoozi to think carefully about how he treats fellow Ugandans while he still holds immense power, warning that history has a way of catching up with those who believe they are untouchable. He also accused Muhoozi of turning Uganda into a laughing stock before the international community, arguing that the country's image is being damaged by actions that have sparked growing domestic and international criticism. His remarks arrive at a time of heightened political tension, following the detention of government critics, the military raid on Nation Media Group outlets, and an increasingly heated national debate over the rule of law and the role of the armed forces in civilian affairs. In this commentary, I break down Jimmy Akena's extraordinary warning to Muhoozi Kainerugaba, why many believe it carries unique weight coming from the son of a former president, and why his message serves as a reminder that political power is temporary—but history's judgment can be permanent.