Uganda’s Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, has publicly distanced government from controversial social media posts made by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, insisting the remarks reflect personal opinion, not official state policy.
Speaking on Capital FM’s The Capital Gang on Saturday, Baryomunsi addressed growing public and diplomatic unease sparked by a series of tweets—some later deleted—in which Gen Muhoozi accused the United States Embassy of facilitating opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) to flee the country.
“The CDF Does Not Speak for Government”
Baryomunsi was emphatic that the CDF’s online comments should not be read as Uganda’s official position.
“For the record, the CDF does not speak for government. His tweets often short and sometimes deleted are not official positions but casual comments.“I have raised this with the appointing authority, including the President. They do make my work harder. Baryomunsi added.
The minister’s clarification comes in the wake of allegations surrounding an alleged military break-in at Bobi Wine’s residence on January 24, 2026. The incident ignited public outrage after claims that soldiers assaulted Bobi Wine’s wife, Barbie Itungo Kyagulanyi.
Gen Muhoozi initially denied that any soldier had assaulted her, before later issuing an apology to the United States while reaffirming Uganda’s continued military cooperation with Washington.
Baryomunsi’s remarks have not quelled public criticism. Online reactions have reignited debate over selective enforcement of Uganda’s computer misuse and speech laws, with critics pointing out that ordinary citizens have faced arrest and imprisonment for online statements similar to those made by the CDF.
Many argue that while civilians are punished for controversial posts, senior officials appear insulated from accountability—fueling accusations of hypocrisy and unequal application of the law.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the incident has once again placed the spotlight on the blurred line between personal expression and state authority, especially when comments come from one of the country’s most powerful military figures.
For now, government insists Gen Muhoozi’s tweets are his own but the public conversation they have sparked shows no sign of fading.