By Spy Uganda
A public disagreement between the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and the Minister of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, has escalated into an open online confrontation, highlighting growing tensions over political communication and the role of senior military officials in public discourse.
The latest exchange unfolded on the night of February 3, 2026, when Gen Kainerugaba, who also serves as Senior Presidential Adviser on Special Operations, took to X (formerly Twitter) and accused Dr Baryomunsi of betrayal, declaring that he would not be retained in the next Cabinet reshuffle.
“Baryomunsi, the traitor, will never be a Minister again,” Gen Kainerugaba wrote in a post that quickly attracted wide public attention.
Dr Baryomunsi responded by defending his political journey and dismissing suggestions that his career depended on patronage.
“I rose from obscurity to where I am because of my abilities, not favours from anybody. I am self-made. Being a Minister is not necessarily the best thing in life. My horizon is far beyond that. Let’s serve Uganda,” he said.
Gen Kainerugaba later replied, insisting that reconciliation was a prerequisite for any future political accommodation. “It doesn’t matter. You will not be Minister this time. First come and make peace with me,” he posted.
Background To The Dispute
The exchange follows remarks made earlier by Dr Baryomunsi during a media appearance, where he said the CDF does not speak on behalf of the government and that Gen Kainerugaba’s frequent use of social media often complicates official government communication.
“For the record, the CDF does not speak for government. His tweets — often short and sometimes deleted — are not official positions but casual comments,” Dr Baryomunsi said. “I have raised this with the appointing authority, including the President. They do make my work harder.”
Those remarks appeared to trigger backlash from supporters of the CDF online and prompted Gen Kainerugaba’s response, further exposing friction between the two senior officials.
The fallout comes amid heightened scrutiny of Gen Kainerugaba’s social media activity, which has previously drawn both domestic and international attention. In late January, a series of posts by the CDF sparked a brief diplomatic controversy between Uganda and the United States after he accused officials at the U.S. Embassy in Kampala of aiding opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
Gen Kainerugaba later deleted the posts and apologised, saying discussions with the U.S. ambassador had resolved the matter and that military cooperation between the two countries would continue.
The episode renewed debate over the boundaries between military leadership, political messaging and diplomacy, with critics questioning the impact of such public statements on Uganda’s international relations, while supporters defended the CDF’s posture as a firm stand on national sovereignty.
As of now, neither Gen Kainerugaba nor Dr Baryomunsi has publicly indicated a willingness to de-escalate the dispute. The continuing exchange has drawn national attention and raised questions about civil-military relations, discipline in public communication, and internal dynamics within government.
Observers say how the matter is handled could have broader implications for governance and cohesion within the ruling establishment as Uganda navigates an increasingly sensitive political environment.
