Gen Muhoozi: EU Amb. Sadek’s Pineapple Prank Shows Power of Social Media Diplomacy

Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has weighed in on a lighthearted April Fools’ Day prank by the European Union Ambassador to Uganda, Jan Sadek, praising it as a form of “modern day diplomacy.”

On April 1, Ambassador Sadek sparked online excitement after announcing—tongue firmly in cheek—that the European Union Delegation to Uganda (@EUinUG) would open a Consulate General on the Kalangala Islands to promote Uganda’s pineapple exports.

The post humorously claimed that a dedicated airport was also being constructed to ensure the fruit arrives fresh in Brussels.

The announcement quickly gained traction, with many social media users reacting to the ambitious (and fictional) plan.

A day later, Sadek came clean, admitting the post was an April Fools’ joke. “A confession: yesterday’s Kalangala Consulate post was an April Fool’s joke,” he wrote, adding with a smile that one thing remains true—“Ugandan pineapple is the best in the world.”

He expressed hope that the public would take the prank in good humor, while reaffirming the EU’s continued support for Uganda’s agriculture value chains.

Responding to the clarification, Gen. Muhoozi embraced the moment, posting: “I support my friend Ambassador Jan Sadek’s April Fools joke yesterday. That is modern day diplomacy, social media diplomacy. Now the world knows about our excellent pineapples!”

The exchange highlights the growing role of social media in diplomatic engagement, where humor and relatability are increasingly used to capture public attention and promote national products.

While the Kalangala consulate remains fictional, the spotlight it brought to Uganda’s pineapples—and agricultural potential—was very real.