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UPDF speaks out on Lt. Mabonga
Magezi said the undisciplined and criminal-minded junior officer, who appears to have been disgruntled in his line of duty, will be arrested and brought to military justice.
The acting Director Defence Public Information in the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Col. Chris Magezi. (File photo)
By: Charles Etukuri, Journalist @New Vision
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The Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) has said they have taken note of serious criminal allegations made on social media platforms by Lt. Herbert Matanda Mabonga against the army, President Yoweri Museveni and the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
In a statement today, October 1, 2026, the acting Director Defence Public Information in the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Col. Chris Magezi, described Mabonga as a deserter, noting that the claims he made on social media were "a pile of unsubstantiated rubbish composed of forgeries, doctored images, and concoctions."
Magezi said the undisciplined and criminal-minded junior officer, who appears to have been disgruntled in his line of duty, will be arrested and brought to military justice.
“Lt Mabonga, formally a junior officer attached to the Chieftaincy of Defence Intelligence and Security was transferred to the Mountain Infantry Division headquarters in Fort Portal for re-assignment in April 2026. However, he did not report to his new duty station and was subsequently declared Absent Without Leave (AWOL),” Magezi said.
Magezi said the undisciplined and criminal-minded junior officer, who appears to have been disgruntled in his line of duty, will be arrested and brought to military justice.
“Lt Mabonga, formally a junior officer attached to the Chieftaincy of Defence Intelligence and Security was transferred to the Mountain Infantry Division headquarters in Fort Portal for re-assignment in April 2026. However, he did not report to his new duty station and was subsequently declared Absent Without Leave (AWOL),” Magezi said.
Magezi revealed that; “eventually, his AWOL status was upgraded to desertion, and he has been on the run since. 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.”
The statement comes in the wake of a viral videos, photos and documents shared by Lt. Mabonga that have gone viral on social media, where he alleges torture of various suspects by soldiers in a safe house in Entebbe.
Mabonga also shared documents of the various opposition politicians allegedly kidnapped by security operatives and detained at what he claimed to be a safe house.
The statement comes in the wake of a viral videos, photos and documents shared by Lt. Mabonga that have gone viral on social media, where he alleges torture of various suspects by soldiers in a safe house in Entebbe.
Mabonga also shared documents of the various opposition politicians allegedly kidnapped by security operatives and detained at what he claimed to be a safe house.