A political storm has erupted between Information and National Guidance Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi and Kasambya County MP Daudi Kabanda following controversial — and now deleted — social media posts by Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
The clash played out after Dr. Baryomunsi appeared on Capital FM’s political talk show Capital Gang, where he distanced government from Gen. Muhoozi’s online commentary, which has repeatedly triggered public and diplomatic debate.
“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.”
The remarks immediately drew sharp criticism from Kabanda, who doubles as Secretary General of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), a political pressure group associated with Gen. Muhoozi.
Kabanda accused the minister of deliberately undermining the army chief and questioned his political integrity.
“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.
The MP went further, reviving allegations from the last election cycle in Kanungu District, including claims that Baryomunsi was involved in the abduction of a priest to suppress opposition — allegations that could not be independently verified.
On social media, Kabanda also accused the minister of celebrating the death of the late Hon. Garuga, claiming Baryomunsi believed his political comeback depended on Garuga’s absence.
Kabanda painted Baryomunsi as part of what he called a blackmail-driven faction within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
“You are even blackmailing the President with threats of running for Speaker, only to be ‘bought off’ with a senior cabinet position,” Kabanda alleged.
He further claimed that the minister’s criticism of Gen. Muhoozi was rooted in fear of political change.
“Rewarding blackmail and mediocrity will come to an end. It is only a matter of time,” Kabanda said.
Baryomunsi, however, dismissed Kabanda’s attacks as reckless and intellectually hollow.
“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.”
The exchange highlights deepening fractures within the ruling establishment over the political influence of Gen. Muhoozi’s online presence and the growing role of PLU, as rival camps battle for influence ahead of the next political cycle.