In a deeply alarming and violent statement, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba; Uganda’s First Son, Chief of Defence Forces, and the President of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) — declared, “If we find any homosexual in PLU, we shall castrate them at City Square then behead them after that.” This grotesque and reckless statement, made by one of Uganda’s most powerful men, cannot be dismissed as mere rhetoric. It is a direct threat to the safety and existence of LGBTQ+ Ugandans and a dangerous incitement to violence.
Uganda is already grappling with the devastating impact of the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023, which imposes severe penalties including the death sentence for consensual same-sex relations. The law has not only legitimized discrimination and hate, but also emboldened ordinary citizens and state actors alike to act with impunity against LGBTQ+ people. In this environment, Muhoozi’s words are not empty; they are fuel to an already raging fire.
This statement also exposes the broader danger of political leaders using queer lives as scapegoats to galvanize support, distract from governance failures, and paint themselves as moral gatekeepers. The imagery of public torture and execution is reminiscent of some of history’s darkest moments and has no place in any society, least of all one that claims to uphold human rights and dignity.
For LGBTQ+ Ugandans, such language is not abstract; it echoes the violence we face in our homes, on the streets, at workplaces, in clinics, and even in schools. The threat from Muhoozi is a green light to vigilante groups, mobs, and police officers to act violently, knowing their actions will likely be endorsed or ignored by those in power.
Ugandans must look within and confront the dangerous path we are being led down. Our history is marked by struggle against colonial domination, dictatorship, and the silencing of voices deemed “unacceptable.” Today, we are being asked to participate in yet another form of erasure, this time of our own people, our neighbors, our friends, our family members under the guise of protecting culture. We must refuse to be used as pawns in political games that thrive on hate and fear.
This is a moment to remember who we are as a people resilient, diverse, and capable of building a Uganda rooted in dignity and justice for all. The voices that call for blood do not speak for all of us. We urge every Ugandan to resist this manipulation, to speak up against violence in our names, and to imagine a country where no one has to live in hiding. We will not allow ourselves to be weaponized against one another.
