The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has dismissed a series of serious allegations attributed to Lieutenant Herbert Matanda Mabonga, describing the claims against the military, its leadership and President Yoweri Museveni as unsubstantiated.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 1, Colonel Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, said the UPDF had taken note of allegations circulating on social media platforms.
Magezi accused Mabonga of presenting what he described as “forgeries, doctored images, and concoctions”, rejecting claims linked to alleged abductions, torture, secret detention facilities and other abuses attributed to security agencies.
Mabonga, who has identified himself as a former officer attached to military intelligence, recently made claims about alleged abuses within Uganda’s security system. He also released footage purportedly showing opposition figures, including activist Sam Mugumya and former Butambala MP Muwanga Kivumbi, in detention settings.
The former officer alleged that some security personnel operated outside established military structures and accused them of abducting, torturing and disappearing individuals for political or other affiliations.
Mabonga also made allegations concerning corruption within government institutions and criticised the conduct of senior security officials. He questioned the role of military structures in political activities and raised concerns about the treatment of political detainees.
However, the UPDF has rejected the claims and instead questioned Mabonga’s status within the military.
Magezi said Mabonga was formerly a junior officer attached to the Chieftaincy of Defence Intelligence and Security before being transferred to the Mountain Infantry Division headquarters in Fort Portal in 2025.
According to the UPDF, Mabonga did not report to his new duty station after the transfer and was subsequently declared absent without official leave (AWOL).
His status was later upgraded to desertion, Magezi said, adding that Mabonga has remained on the run since then.
The military spokesman further accused Mabonga of being wanted over alleged criminal offences unrelated to his recent statements.
“Mabonga is wanted on criminal allegations of extortion of funds from business groups and individuals in Kampala and other areas, as well as involvement in fraudulent land transactions and forgeries of land titles,” Magezi said.
The UPDF said Mabonga would eventually be arrested and subjected to military justice.
Magezi described the former officer as a “disgruntled” junior officer and questioned the credibility of his allegations.
The latest development sets up a direct dispute between Mabonga’s allegations of abuses within Uganda’s security system and the UPDF’s assertion that he is a deserter facing criminal allegations.