The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has responded to allegations made by former intelligence officer Lt Herbert Matanda Mabonga, who has accused security agencies of operating secret detention facilities and abusing people held in custody.
Mabonga has in recent days circulated videos and a lengthy statement on social media in which he presents himself as a former UPDF intelligence officer who can no longer remain silent about what he says he witnessed while serving in the security system.
Among his major claims is that some Ugandans have been subjected to arbitrary arrests, abductions, torture and enforced disappearances. He alleges that a parallel security structure involving elements linked to Defence Intelligence and Security and the Special Forces Command operates outside the normal UPDF structure.
Mabonga has further claimed that the alleged group uses specially selected operatives and has been involved in operations targeting people because of their political, social or religious affiliations. He also alleged that such operations were witnessed during the Kawempe parliamentary by-election. These claims have not been independently verified.
Mabonga’s allegations have particularly drawn attention because of videos he released which he claims were recorded inside a military safe house.
One of the videos appears to show opposition activist Sam Mugumya struggling to walk around a compound, while another appears to show former Butambala MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi receiving medical attention.
Mabonga has alleged that Mugumya was subjected to torture while being held in a security facility. He has also claimed to have additional recordings and evidence relating to alleged torture and detention.
However, the location, date and source of the recordings have not been independently established, meaning the footage alone does not confirm the circumstances in which the individuals were filmed.
Mabonga has also claimed that he previously attempted to raise his concerns through military channels but was subsequently harassed and eventually left his home. He said he had prepared a dossier containing what he described as evidence of governance failures, corruption and human rights abuses within security agencies.
In a statement issued on October 1, 2026, the army said it had taken note of the criminal allegations circulating on social media and described claims targeting the UPDF, the Chief of Defence Forces and President Yoweri Museveni as unsubstantiated, alleging that some of the material being circulated involves forgeries and doctored documents.
The UPDF also said Mabonga had been transferred to the Mountain Infantry Division headquarters in Fort Portal in April 2026 but failed to report to his new duty station.
According to the army, he was subsequently declared absent without leave and later a deserter.
The UPDF further alleges that Mabonga is wanted in connection with extortion, fraudulent land transactions and forgery of land titles and said he would be arrested and brought before military justice.
The statement was signed by Col Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs/UPDF.
Mabonga’s allegations concerning torture, secret detention, abductions and other abuses remain claims that have not been independently established. Similarly, the criminal allegations made against him by the UPDF remain allegations unless established through the relevant judicial process.
