The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, has clashed with Kasambya County MP Daudi Kabanda, who is also the Secretary General of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), following recent—now deleted—tweets by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
While appearing on Capital FM’s political talk show Capital Gang, Baryomunsi stated that Gen. Muhoozi’s social media posts do not represent official government positions.
“For the record, the CDF does not speak for government,” Baryomunsi said. “His tweets—often short and sometimes deleted—are not official positions but casual comments. I have raised this matter with the appointing authority, including the President, because they do make my work harder.”
His remarks triggered a heated exchange with Kabanda, who accused the minister of undermining Gen. Muhoozi.
“With due respect, Dr. Baryomunsi—a known opportunist who joined government for political survival—has no moral authority to despise Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba,” Kabanda said.
Kabanda further accused Baryomunsi of alleged misconduct during the last elections in Kanungu District, including claims of abducting a priest to suppress opposition. Daily Star Uganda could not independently verify these allegations.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kabanda also alleged that Baryomunsi celebrated the death of the late Hon. Garuga, claiming the minister believed his political return depended on Garuga’s absence.
Kabanda went on to accuse Baryomunsi of belonging to a faction within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) that survives on political blackmail.
“You are even blackmailing the President with threats of running for Speaker, only to be ‘bought off’ with a senior cabinet position,” Kabanda alleged.
According to Kabanda, Baryomunsi’s criticism of Gen. Muhoozi stems from fear, arguing that while President Yoweri Museveni tolerates internal pressure, Gen. Muhoozi would not.
“Rewarding blackmail and mediocrity will come to an end. It is only a matter of time,” Kabanda said.
In response, Baryomunsi dismissed Kabanda’s remarks as baseless.
“Ordinarily, I would not dignify Kabanda’s forest of empty talk with a response,” Baryomunsi said. “I have no energy to argue with someone who is intellectually jaundiced. From what he has written, I advise him to upgrade his education and reason like those who went to school.”
