Uganda Speaker sparks outrage after comparing Museveni to God, Muhoozi to Jesus

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

By Bashir Mbuthia
Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Among made the remarks at the Kalule Garage playground in Kyazanga, Bukoto West, over the weekend describing Museveni as "God the Father" and Kainerugaba, as "God the Son", as she urged attendees, whom she likened to the Holy Spirit, to vote for Museveni in the country's 2026 polls.

Uganda's National Assembly Speaker Anita Among has come under fire from a section of political and religious leaders for likening President Yoweri Museveni and his son General Muhoozi Kainerugaba to God and Jesus Christ, respectively.

Among made the remarks at the Kalule Garage playground in Kyazanga, Bukoto West, over the weekend describing Museveni as "God the Father" and Kainerugaba, as "God the Son", as she urged attendees, whom she likened to the Holy Spirit, to vote for Museveni in the country's 2026 polls.

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"We believe in the Trinity. We believe in God the Father, and God the Father is President Museveni. God the Son is MK [Muhoozi Kainerugaba], and now you are the Holy Spirit. Therefore, vote for them. God be with you all," Among said, according to the Monitor.

Among's remarks sparked outrage, with some political and religious leaders condemning the remarks as blasphemous and politically inappropriate. Other leaders opted not to comment on the matter entirely.

"With the growth of multiparty politics in Uganda, some politicians are now exploiting religious sentiments to win votes. I understand she was trying to sway the masses in favour of Museveni, but it is completely inappropriate to invoke the names of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in this context," said Ugandan cleric Martin Ssempa of the Makerere Community Church.

"If we don't make a law to stop politicians from using religion for political gain, we are headed for trouble."

Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, also criticised Among's remarks, arguing that such praise comes from individuals who feel indebted to Museveni, either because he secured them positions they otherwise wouldn't qualify for, or shielded them from legal consequences.

Ssenyonyi warned that likening Museveni to a divine figure is not only deeply inappropriate but also dangerous in a country where many citizens hold strong religious beliefs.

"This is not only awful, it's offensive. Ugandans are deeply religious, and such statements could mislead some into thinking Museveni is divine. But let no one be mistaken: while some leaders may act foolishly, the majority of Ugandans are not stupid. They know what they want," he said.

Patrick Amuriat, the President of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party, shared Ssenyonyi's sentiments, stating that no man should be compared to God.

"If she (Among) was talking about the Almighty God I serve, then it is very unfortunate to equate anybody to God. I cannot adore Museveni, and neither can voters be the Holy Spirit or Muhoozi be the God the Son," he said.

On the other hand, Chris Obore, the director, communication and public affairs at Parliament, was quick to point out that Among's remarks were taken out of context since she was simply drawing parallels.

"The analogy of the Trinity implies togetherness, the cohesiveness or oneness of leadership. That is what the Speaker is emphasising. If you believe in NRM, then you must believe in its leadership," said Obore.

"You find a trinity has three pillars: the president, the people, and those who work for the president. It does not mean that the president is God. It means that the followers of NRM must be as cohesive as the Holy Trinity."

This is not the first time Ugandan politicians have used exaggerated terms to describe Museveni. In 2017, current Inspector General of Government (IGG) Beti Kamya claimed Museveni was "more intelligent than the entire Cabinet combined".