Minister for Water and Environment Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire has said he would rather die fighting on his feet than leave on his knees begging, as tensions surrounding political disagreements and the role of violence continue to attract public attention.
Otafiire made the remarks while speaking to the public at Valley University of Science and Technology in Bushenyi on Friday, October 2, 2026, where he reflected on his involvement in Uganda’s political and military struggles.
“The lecturer here asked if I am safe. I fought Idi Amin—was I safe? I fought Milton Obote and spent five years in Luwero, and I am still here. I would rather die on my feet fighting than leave on my knees begging,” Otafiire said.
His remarks came shortly after his parliamentary address in which he called for political tolerance and warned against resolving disagreements through violence.
While addressing Parliament on September 30, Otafiire said disagreement was a normal part of society but argued that the key issue was how such differences were resolved.
“When you see a general who prefers violence as the best means of solving problems, then there is a problem. The greatest generals I know of are those who resolve problems without shooting a bullet,” he said.
Otafiire did not name any particular general in those parliamentary remarks. However, his comments have since become part of a public exchange involving Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who has demanded an apology from Otafiire over what he considers remarks directed at him.
At Valley University, Otafiire also distanced himself from the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), saying he should not be expected to speak on behalf of an organisation to which he does not belong. He challenged young people to assess leaders based on their conduct and integrity.
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