Muhoozi orders Ugandan ministers to seek his clearance before foreign trips

Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has mandated government ministers to seek his explicit permission and clearance before embarking on foreign trips, citing the recent unauthorized visit of Minister for State for Foreign Affairs, Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, to Turkey. In a post on social media platform X on September 26, 2026, Kainerugaba stated that Kasolo was expected to justify his decision to travel without the necessary authorization.

"All ministers need my permission and clearance before leaving the country. I did not clear Hon. Kasolo to visit Turkey. He will explain," Kainerugaba declared. In addition, Kainerugaba announced financial penalties for ministers who travel outside Uganda without his approval, with the proceeds to be used for infrastructure development.

Should a minister defy the order, they face a fine of 30 million shillings, with the Ministry of Finance commencing implementation immediately. This directive follows a series of strained diplomatic relations between Uganda and Turkey, with Kainerugaba adopting a firm stance on matters involving Ankara. Kasolo, who is in charge of regional affairs, has been actively involved in several diplomatic missions in recent weeks, including a trip to Türkiye focused on trade, healthcare, investment, and coffee processing.

Reports from Uganda's Embassy in Ankara also indicate that Kasolo engaged in discussions on medical tourism, health technologies, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment, culminating in a memorandum of understanding between Medistate Hospital in Istanbul and Bujjuko Hospital in Kampala. The timing of Kasolo's trip is particularly sensitive, given recent tensions between the two nations over Ugandan activist Fred Kajubi Lumbuye, who is currently based in Türkiye.

Demonstrators from the Patriotic League of Uganda, which Kainerugaba leads, had earlier gathered outside the Turkish Embassy in Kampala, demanding the activist's return to Uganda. In response, Uganda's military suspended defence and military cooperation with Türkiye, citing unresolved issues concerning bilateral security cooperation.

With Kasolo's trip now under scrutiny, Kainerugaba insists that the minister must provide a clear explanation for his unauthorized visit to Turkey.