The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has dismissed allegations by Lt. Herbert Matanda Mabonga regarding alleged secret military safehouses, torture and enforced disappearances, describing the claims as “unsubstantiated rubbish” made using alleged forgeries and doctored images.
In a statement issued by Col. Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information, the UPDF said the material circulating online targets the army, Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and President Yoweri Museveni.
Magezi described Mabonga as a deserter and said the officer had previously been attached to the Chieftaincy of Defence Intelligence and Security before being transferred to the Mountain Infantry Division Headquarters in Fort Portal.
The UPDF initially gave April 2026 as the transfer date, but Magezi later issued a correction stating that Mabonga was transferred to Fort Portal in November 2025. According to the army, he failed to report to his new duty station, was declared absent without official leave (AWOL), and his status was later upgraded to desertion.
The military also accused Mabonga of separate offences involving alleged extortion of money from business groups and individuals, fraudulent land transactions and forgery of land titles. The UPDF said he would be arrested and subjected to military justice.
The statement followed videos, photographs and documents released online by Mabonga, in which he alleged that security agencies operated a safehouse in Entebbe where political opponents and other individuals were allegedly detained and tortured.
Some of the material reportedly showed people Mabonga identified as opposition figures, although the location, date and circumstances surrounding the footage have not been independently verified.
The allegations have generated significant public attention, particularly amid ongoing concerns and parliamentary scrutiny over reports of missing persons and alleged unlawful detention.
Point of correction: Lt Mabonga was transferred to the Mountain Infantry Division Headquarters for reassignment in November, 2025.
— Chris Magezi (@ChrisOMagezi) October 1, 2026
For now, the UPDF has categorically rejected Mabonga’s claims, while the allegations attributed to him remain unverified.
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