Uganda Law Society (ULS) President Isaac Ssemakadde on Monday, July 27, ignited debate over the close working relationship between veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, raising questions about influence, access, and accountability in Uganda’s governance space.
Ssemakadde was responding to growing public curiosity over Mwenda’s frequent presence alongside Muhoozi on official and high-level trips, including a recent visit to Rwanda, despite holding no formal position in government or the civil service.
In a sharply framed statement, the ULS president described the duo’s association as a strategic partnership built on complementary roles.
“One is the face. One is the brain. That’s the partnership,” Ssemakadde said, framing the relationship as one where visibility and messaging intersect with strategy and influence.
Mwenda, who serves as director of communications for the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), has increasingly been seen in Muhoozi’s inner circle, a development that has drawn mixed reactions across Uganda’s political and media landscape.
Critics argue the arrangement blurs the line between state authority and private actors, while supporters view it as part of evolving political communication.
However, Ssemakadde cautioned against viewing the relationship at face value, describing it as transactional and rooted in mutual benefit.
“Let’s not be naive. In Uganda’s political theater, every alliance is transactional. Mwenda is no fool—he understands that access is currency, and proximity is power,” he stated.
He further challenged the public to interrogate the deeper implications of the alliance, particularly what Mwenda stands to gain.
“The question isn’t why he travels with Muhoozi. The question is: what does the brain get in return for polishing the face?” he posed.
Ssemakadde also raised broader concerns about the state of Uganda’s public discourse, warning that informal power networks could be eclipsing formal institutions.
“What does this say about our public discourse when private citizens wield more influence than half the Cabinet?” he asked.