Muhoozi backs Suluhu over tough stand on foreign interference

Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has commended Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan as one of his favourite African leaders, describing her as “no nonsense and extremely decisive.”

In a post shared on X, Muhoozi expressed admiration for Suluhu’s approach to leadership, pointing to her strong response after Tanzanian authorities denied entry to a delegation of Kenyan lawyers and activists.

"Mama Suluhu Hassan, President of Tanzania, is fast becoming one of my favourite leaders in Africa. No nonsense and extremely decisive! Asante sana, Mama (Thank you very much)," Muhoozi said on Tuesday.

His statement, which stood out for its restrained tone in contrast to his often provocative online posts, came after Tanzania blocked entry to former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, constitutional lawyer Martha Karua and other Kenyan activists on Sunday.

The group had travelled to monitor the court case of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who faces treason and incitement charges for calling for electoral reforms ahead of the October elections.

The group was stopped at Julius Nyerere Airport and put on a return flight to Nairobi. Only former Chief Justice David Maraga was allowed entry and later attended court proceedings at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court, where Lissu made his first appearance since his April 9 arrest.

On Monday, President Samia publicly warned foreign activists and human rights groups against interfering in Tanzania’s internal matters.

She said while her administration is committed to protecting human rights, it would not tolerate foreign interference during the sensitive trial of Lissu.

"Through technology, people all over the world can say what they want about us. They can utter anything and say what they wish," she said.

The President also warned that freedom of expression would not be used to undermine the country’s sovereignty and national dignity.

"Let’s not be Shamba la Bibi [unguarded farm] where everyone can come and say whatever they want," she declared.

"We have seen a flow of activists within our region starting to interfere in our affairs. They may have been controlled in their own countries, but they will not come and destroy us here," she added.

Following the deportation of the Kenyan lawyers, Tanzanian police also arrested other foreign activists who had travelled to the country to support Lissu.

President Samia said her government’s top duty was to protect Tanzania’s independence and sovereignty, adding that external voices would not be allowed to influence internal judicial processes.