FALSE Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba orders shut down of Mtn company in Uganda

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Tunachokijua(What we know)

MTN Uganda is the country’s largest telecommunications network, a major taxpayer, and is listed on the Uganda Securities Exchange.

Gen Muhoozi Kaiberugaba Is Ugandas Chief of Defense Forces(CDF)and a Presidential Advisor on Special Operations.

Claim:

A viral post attributes a statement to Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, alleging that MTN Uganda will be blocked within two weeks and replaced by Uganda Telecom.

Findings:

Jamii Check found out that there was Misquotation of Gen. Muhoozi: The viral post falsely attributes words to Gen. Muhoozi. There is no record of him making such a statement in any official speech, press release, or verified communication.

No official confirmation: Neither State House, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), nor MTN Uganda has issued any statement supporting this claim.

Source credibility: The viral post originates from a social media account with no recognized authority. It includes sensational language and a YouTube subscription link, indicators of misinformation tactics designed to drive traffic rather than convey verified news.

Minister of Local Government and Vice Chairman PLU Western Uganda Hon Balaam Barugahara confirmed via his verified social media handle that the post is “completely fake.” He emphasized that MTN Uganda remains the country’s largest taxpayer, biggest telecom network, and a listed company where thousands of Ugandans own shares.

Verdict: False

The claim that Gen. Muhoozi ordered the closure of MTN Uganda is false and based on a misquotation. MTN remains operational and legally recognized as Uganda’s leading telecom provider

 

[Archival Sense]

Tunachokijua​

A screenshot circulating widely on WhatsApp and other social media platforms claims that Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba announced plans to block MTN Uganda from operating in the country within two weeks.

The viral post alleges that Ugandans had agreed to replace MTN Uganda with Airtel and revive Uganda Telecom (UTL). It also urges MTN customers to withdraw any money held in their MTN accounts, claiming the telecommunications company would cease operations in Uganda.

The post directs readers to a YouTube channel to supposedly watch Gen. Muhoozi's speech after subscribing.

However, there is no evidence that Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba made such a statement on any of his official communication channels. The claim has also not been reported by any credible news organization or confirmed by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), MTN Uganda, or any government authority.

Responding to the viral screenshot, Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi dismissed it as fake. In a post on his official X account, he wrote:

"Disregard this completely fake post.

MTN Uganda remains Uganda's largest taxpayer, the country's biggest telecommunications network, and a company listed on the Uganda Securities Exchange, where thousands of Ugandans own shares.

Those responsible for circulating false and misleading information risk legal action, as such conduct can amount to economic sabotage and unnecessarily undermine public confidence.

To all esteemed MTN Uganda customers and the general public, please treat this false post with the contempt it deserves and always rely only on information from official sources, including General Muhoozi Kainerugaba's handle."

Click here to see the post.​

CLAIM​

A viral WhatsApp screenshot claims that Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba announced that MTN Uganda would be blocked from operating in Uganda within two weeks, urging customers to withdraw money from their MTN accounts because the network would cease operations.

VERDICT​

False.

There is no evidence that Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba made the statement attributed to him in the viral screenshot. The claim does not appear on his official X account or any other verified government communication platform.

The message also attempts to lure readers to an unrelated YouTube channel by claiming it contains a speech from the CDF, but provides no authentic source or recording to support the allegation.

Additionally, Minister Balaam Barugahara publicly dismissed the screenshot as "completely fake" and urged Ugandans to disregard it. He emphasized that MTN Uganda remains fully operational as Uganda's largest telecommunications network and one of the country's biggest taxpayers.

At the time of publication, MTN Uganda continues to provide services normally, and no government agency has announced plans to suspend or ban its operations.

The viral screenshot is therefore false and appears to have been created to spread misinformation and cause unnecessary public panic.