Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has spoken about veteran opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye, recalling how Besigye previously referred to him as a “boy” during political disagreements.

Muhoozi said the situation had changed, arguing that the person who was once dismissed as a young figure now holds a powerful position in Uganda’s security establishment.

“Kizza Besigye used to call me a ‘boy’. Okay. Now the ‘boy’ has power over him. He is going nowhere,” Muhoozi said.

The remarks come amid the continued legal case involving Besigye, who has been facing charges brought by Ugandan authorities.

Besigye, a longtime opposition leader and former presidential candidate, was arrested in November 2024 after he disappeared in Nairobi, Kenya, before later appearing before a military court in Kampala.

At the time, authorities charged him alongside his aide Haji Obeid Lutale with offences related to security and alleged unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

The manner of his detention attracted international attention, with Besigye’s supporters questioning how he was returned to Uganda from Kenya.

Following legal challenges over the jurisdiction of military courts to try civilians, the case was later moved to the civilian court system.

Besigye was subsequently charged with treason and misprision of treason alongside Lutale and UPDF officer Capt Denis Oola.

Prosecution allegations state that the accused persons were involved in activities intended to overthrow the government by force of arms.

The alleged activities are said to have taken place in different locations, including Uganda, Kenya, Switzerland and Greece, according to prosecution documents.

Besigye and his legal team have denied the allegations and have challenged the case, including issues surrounding his arrest and the handling of the proceedings.

The political rivalry between Muhoozi and Besigye reflects a long-running divide between Uganda’s ruling establishment and opposition figures.

Besigye has been one of President Yoweri Museveni’s strongest political challengers for many years, having contested several presidential elections.

Over the years, he has repeatedly criticised government policies and questioned the conduct of elections in Uganda.

Muhoozi, who serves as Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, has also become an influential figure in national political discussions.

His comments about Besigye have continued to attract attention because of their positions on opposite sides of Uganda’s political landscape.

Supporters of Muhoozi have defended his statements, while Besigye’s supporters have continued to demand what they describe as a fair legal process.

The court case against Besigye remains a major political issue, with both sides presenting different views about the allegations and their implications.

For the government side, the case is presented as a matter of national security and criminal accountability.

For Besigye’s supporters, the case has been viewed as part of the wider political tensions between opposition groups and authorities.

As the legal proceedings continue, the statements from political leaders continue to fuel debate about Uganda’s political future and the relationship between security institutions and opposition figures.