A fabricated social media post claiming that Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba had overthrown President Yoweri Museveni spread rapidly across WhatsApp and X on Monday, triggering confusion before being dismissed as fake.
The viral screenshot featured obvious signs of manipulation, including the misspelled and elongated name "Muhooozi Kainerugaabaaa" and unusually high engagement figures. Despite its widespread circulation, the post never appeared on Gen. Kainerugaba's verified X account.
Supporters and officials quickly rejected the screenshot as a fabricated image. The Patriotic League of Uganda described it as a "false generated tweet" and urged the public to verify information only through official and verified communication channels.
The incident follows a pattern of fake screenshots being falsely attributed to Gen. Kainerugaba, whose social media activity has frequently attracted public attention over the years. Independent fact-checkers have previously documented multiple fabricated posts falsely presented as his genuine tweets.
There is no credible evidence that Uganda's government has changed or that any military takeover has occurred. President Yoweri Museveni remains in office, and no official institution has announced any constitutional or political transition.
The viral hoax also highlights the continued role of encrypted messaging platforms such as WhatsApp in the rapid spread of misinformation across East Africa, where fabricated screenshots can circulate widely before being verified or debunked.