Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Muhoozi Kainerugaba has labelled CNN’s international correspondent Larry Madowo a ‘msaliti’ (traitor) in a stinging public rebuke.
The row ignited after Madowo questioned the General’s vow to ‘extinguish’ Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) following the 2026 elections.
Muhoozi accused the Kenyan-born journalist of seeking ‘Mzungu’ approval while pretending to represent African interests.
The feud reached a climax on Thursday, January 22, 2026, when Muhoozi officially blocked Madowo on X (formerly Twitter), later explaining the move in a single, scathing Swahili word: “Msaliti.”
“I blocked @LarryMadowo for one simple reason. It’s best said in Kiswahili. He is a true Msaliti (traitor),” Muhoozi tweeted.
The spat was triggered by the aftermath of the high-stakes January 2026 Ugandan elections, which saw the 81-year-old Museveni clinch a seventh term with 71% of the vote.
Madowo had publicly challenged Muhoozi over chilling statements in which the General—who recently referred to himself as a “Prophet of God”—promised to “remove and extinguish” the National Unity Platform (NUP), the party led by popstar-turned-politician Bobi Wine.
Madowo did not hold back, quoting Muhoozi’s threats and asking: “Why are you bragging about killing Ugandans who support the opposition? Is it because you’re protected by your father, President Museveni?”
Muhoozi, known for his unfiltered and often controversial social media presence, bypassed the allegations of human rights abuses to launch a personal attack on Madowo’s professional integrity and African identity.
“How long will you kiss the Muzungu’s ASS in the USA pretending to represent us?” Muhoozi fired back, accusing the journalist of being a puppet for Western media interests and seeking praise from the white people.
