KAMPALA, Uganda — The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has dismissed criminal allegations circulating on social media and attributed to Lt Herbert Matanda Mabonga, describing the claims as unsubstantiated.
In a statement issued Thursday, Col Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs/UPDF, said the allegations targeted the UPDF, Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
“The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has taken note of serious criminal allegations made on social media platforms against the institution, the CDF, and the President of Uganda.”
Magezi described the allegations attributed to Mabonga as fabricated. “The claims attributed to Lt Mabonga, a UPDF deserter, are a pile of unsubstantiated rubbish composed of forgeries, doctored images, and concoctions.”
According to the UPDF, 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 April 2026 for reassignment.
The military said Mabonga did not report to his new duty station and was subsequently declared absent without official leave (AWOL). “However, he did not report to his new duty station and was subsequently declared AWOL.”
Magezi said Mabonga’s status was later upgraded from AWOL to desertion and that the military has been seeking to apprehend him. “Eventually, his AWOL status was upgraded to desertion, and he has been on the run since.”
The UPDF further alleged that Mabonga is wanted over separate criminal allegations involving extortion and fraudulent land transactions.
“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 UPDF did not provide details of the alleged victims, amounts involved or specific land transactions in the statement.
Magezi said the military intends to arrest Mabonga and subject him to military justice.“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.”
The statement was issued in Kampala on Thursday, October 1, 2026, as the allegations continued circulating on social media.
