UPDF Generals Nabasa, Namanya arrested, Rugumayo dropped as Deputy Chief DIS

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Two senior Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) generals were arrested on Friday, March 27, 2026, following orders from the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

This is part of his ongoing campaign against corruption within the armed forces, according to information obtained by New Vision online.

A senior security source confirmed the arrest of Major General Don William Nabasa and Brigadier General Johnson Namanya Abaho, who are currently detained at the Kasenyi military detention facility.

The CDF also dropped the Deputy Chief of Military Intelligence, Col Abdul Rugumayo, and replaced him with Brig Gen Oscar Munanura following a shake-up in the Defence Intelligence and Security (DIS), formerly the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI).

DIS is the premier intelligence agency of the UPDF, which recently rebranded as part of the 2021 restructuring.

Acting Director Defence Public Information, Col. Chris Magezi, on Friday confirmed the changes at DIS but declined to comment on the arrest of the two senior Generals, Nabaasa and Namanya.

“I can confirm the appointment by the CDF of a new Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security (CDIS), Brig. Munanura, who has been the director of counterintelligence,” Col. Magezi said.

The army did not give the reasons for Rugamayo’s removal, even though sources in security said it could be related to the ongoing purge the CDF had ordered against corrupt elements in the military.

Rugumayo, who has been serving as deputy, rose to the role in March 2022, following his appointment by President Yoweri Museveni.

At the time of his arrest, Maj. Gen. Nabasa served as the Joint Staff Policy and Strategy in the UPDF, a position he was appointed to on January 3, 2025. He previously served as the commander of the 3rd Infantry Division in Moroto, commanding special forces and conducting anti-terrorism operations against cattle rustlers and insurgents in Karamoja.

He also served as the Commander of the UPDF Military Police (appointed Oct 2021) and commanded the Special Forces Command (SFC) (2017). Maj. Gen. Nabasa also led the Ugandan contingent in Somalia under the African Mission in Somalia.

Brigadier General Namanya had just recently returned to full military duties after he and other senior officers were recalled from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, where he served as the Commissioner for Citizenship and Passport Control.