Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to former government spokesperson and Eastern Region Older Persons MP Ofwono Opondo, demanding that he personally apologises to him while kneeling. In a strongly worded message posted on X on November 5, 2026, Muhoozi wrote: “I hear Ofwono Opondo has a death wish. I’m giving him exactly 7 days to apologize on his knees to me.” The statement has added a new twist to the growing public exchange between the two prominent figures.

The latest confrontation follows comments Opondo reportedly made about the return of retired Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu to security authorities. Opondo questioned the description of the development as a straightforward surrender and suggested that it could have involved a negotiated arrangement. His remarks came after Elwelu reportedly returned to security personnel in Soroti on November 2 amid allegations of involvement in subversive activities.

Muhoozi, however, has maintained that Elwelu surrendered on his orders. The disagreement over how the retired general returned to the authorities appears to have become one of the issues behind the latest exchange, with the army chief reacting sharply to Opondo’s public comments.

In another message, Muhoozi reportedly criticised Opondo’s conduct, accusing him of repeatedly insulting him and warning that he would teach him who he was. The seven-day demand for an apology has therefore raised questions about whether the dispute will end with a public response from Opondo or develop into a more prolonged confrontation.

The disagreement has also unfolded against the background of Opondo’s recent departure from his weekly column in the New Vision newspaper. On November 2, he confirmed that he had stopped writing the column following a disagreement over editorial direction. He also rejected claims that the newspaper had banned him because of criticism directed at Muhoozi.

Opondo is a long-serving political figure who previously served as Executive Director of the Uganda Media Centre and government spokesperson. He currently represents older persons from Eastern Uganda in Parliament. His public comments on national politics and security matters have continued to attract attention.

Muhoozi’s latest statement has also drawn public attention because it involves a serving military chief and a sitting Member of Parliament. The demand for an apology on his knees, accompanied by the phrase about having a death wish, has intensified the debate surrounding the relationship between political leaders and the military leadership.

As the seven-day period begins, attention is now turning to whether Opondo will respond to Muhoozi’s demand and whether the two officials will find a way to settle their differences. As of November 6, 2026, no public acceptance of the ultimatum or apology from Opondo had been reported.