Uganda Information Minister Lodges Complaint Over Army Chief’s Controversial Tweets
The Minister of Information and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, has disclosed that he has personally complained to President Yoweri Museveni about the impact of social media posts by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Speaking on the Capital Gang show on Saturday, Dr. Baryomunsi stated that Gen. Muhoozi’s frequent and often controversial use of Twitter has repeatedly caused confusion and contradictions for government communicators.
“Admittedly, his tweets make my work a little bit difficult because they cause all kinds of contradictions,” the Minister said, noting that the posts spark public debate and attract international media scrutiny.
He clarified that the CDF does not speak for the Ugandan government and urged the public to distinguish his personal tweets from official policy. Dr. Baryomunsi referenced a now-deleted tweet in which Gen. Muhoozi claimed he would hang opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye, questioning whether anyone took it as a genuine government position.
The Minister’s comments follow a recent incident where his statement that National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) was not wanted by the government appeared to directly contradict the army chief. Gen. Muhoozi had previously stated the army was “hunting” for Bobi Wine and would treat him as a rebel.
This contradiction drew significant attention from media outlets, including the BBC.
Dr. Baryomunsi defended his own statement, asserting he had consulted widely within government and that the official position remains that Kyagulanyi faces no charges and is “hiding on his own.”
The public complaint from a senior minister highlights the ongoing tension within Uganda’s government over communication and the unique role of the President’s son, who commands the military while maintaining a prolific and politically charged social media presence.
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