The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has dismissed a series of allegations circulating on social media against the institution, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and President Museveni, attributing the claims to a former junior officer whom the army says deserted the force.
Lieutenant Herbert Matanda Mabonga , a former UPDF intelligence officer leaked explosive video footage and documents detailing a safehouse also described as the Basement in Entebbe.
In a statement, UPDF Acting Director of Defence Public Information, Col Chris Magezi, said the military had taken note of what he described as serious criminal allegations being circulated on social media platforms.
Magezi said the claims attributed to Lt Mabonga, a former UPDF officer, were not supported by evidence.
“The Uganda People’s Defence Forces has taken note of serious criminal allegations made on social media platforms against the institution, the CDF, and the President of Uganda,” Magezi said.
“The claims attributed to Lt Mabonga, a UPDF deserter, are a pile of unsubstantiated rubbish composed of forgeries, doctored images, and concoctions.”
According to Magezi, Mabonga was previously a junior officer attached to the Chieftancy of Defence Intelligence and Security before being transferred to the Mountain Infantry Division headquarters in Fort Portal in April 2026.
Magezi said the transfer was intended to facilitate Mabonga’s reassignment but that he failed to report to his new station.
“Lt Mabonga, formerly a junior officer attached to the Chieftancy of Defence Intelligence and Security, was transferred to the Mountain Infantry Division headquarters in Fort Portal for reassignment in April 2026,” Magezi said.
“However, he did not report to his new duty station and was subsequently declared AWOL,” he added.
The UPDF said Mabonga’s status was later changed from absent without official leave (AWOL) to desertion and that he has since been on the run.
“Eventually, his AWOL status was upgraded to desertion, and he has been on the run since,” Magezi said.
The military also noted that Mabonga is wanted in connection with separate criminal complaints involving alleged extortion, fraudulent land transactions and forgery.
Magezi said the alleged offences involved business groups and individuals in Kampala and other parts of the country.
“In addition, Lt 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 did not provide further details about the alleged cases or indicate whether formal charges have been filed against Mabonga in connection with those allegations.
Magezi described Mabonga as an officer who had allegedly become disgruntled in the course of his service and said the military would pursue him.
“The indisciplined and criminal-minded junior officer, who it appears was also disgruntled in his line of duty, will be arrested and brought to military justice,” Magezi said.
The statement did not provide details about Mabonga’s current whereabouts.
The UPDF’s response comes amid the circulation of social media material attributed to Mabonga containing allegations against the military institution, its leadership and the President.
The military has rejected the allegations and described the material as fabricated.
The claims attributed to Mabonga, as well as the UPDF’s allegations against him, have not been independently verified.
