Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), has sparked controversy with two posts on X (formerly Twitter), targeting ICT Minister Chris Baryomunsi.
The posts read: “If he ever utters my name again anywhere, I will arrest him on the spot,” and “Baryomunsi, the traitor, will never be a Minister again.”
The comments are directed at Minister Baryomunsi, who recently distanced the government from Gen. Muhoozi’s earlier tweets threatening to rupture relations with the U.S.
Baryomunsi stated that Muhoozi’s social media posts are personal opinions, not official government policy, prompting criticism from lawmakers like Hon. Daudi Kabanda, who accused the minister of undermining the CDF.
Kabanda and Baryomunsi have exchanged sharp verbal attacks, with Kabanda calling Baryomunsi an opportunist and Baryomunsi responding by questioning Kabanda’s intellectual capacity.
The dispute also ties into recent political maneuvering at the Media Centre, where President Yoweri Museveni appointed Allan Kasujja as Executive Director, bypassing two lobbyists: acting director Obed Katureebe and former GCIC deputy Duncan Abigaba, who had been vying for the post.
Abigaba, who returned from Moscow with a master’s degree, had become critical of the government, seen by some as venting frustration over not benefiting from his past loyalty.
Sources say Abigaba met Museveni to lobby for the Media Centre job, but the President chose Kasujja to serve as official government spokesperson, defending the regime in the media.
The fallout from Muhoozi’s X posts has diplomatic implications, with US Senator Jim Risch previously criticizing Muhoozi’s deleted tweets about the US Embassy and urging a review of security partnerships with Uganda. Baryomunsi has previously said he complained to President Museveni about the impact of Gen Muhoozi’s social media activity on government communication.
The situation highlights tensions between Uganda’s military, political leadership, and media management, with Kasujja’s appointment seen as a strategic move to strengthen government messaging.
