Kampala / Juba — Confusion and conflicting reports are swirling after claims emerged that Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, spokesperson for the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA IO), has been arrested and placed under house arrest in Uganda allegedly on orders of Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces.
A statement circulating on social media attributed to Gen. Muhoozi — who serves as Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) — alleges that Gabriel was detained for using digital platforms to issue “reckless statements and propaganda” from Ugandan territory aimed at destabilising South Sudan. The statement reportedly warned that “Uganda is not a safe haven for rebel forces,” and said anyone using its soil to spread instability “will face serious consequences.”
However, the authenticity of the original post has not been independently verified, and the key social media account that shared the message has since been deactivated, raising questions about its credibility.
In response, the SPLA IO leadership publicly rejected the arrest claims. Puok Both Baluang, Acting Press Secretary in the office of the SPLA IO Chairman, described the reports as “baseless propaganda,” asserting that Col. Lam is “safe, free, and continues to perform his revolutionary duties as usual.” No independent confirmation of Gabriel’s status has been published by major news outlets.
Col. Lam Paul Gabriel had been a frequent voice for SPLA IO, regularly issuing updates and rebuttals to government accounts of conflict events in South Sudan. His recent public absence — with no verified statements since early February 2026 — sparked speculation before the arrest allegations surfaced.
Uganda’s military leadership, particularly Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has previously garnered attention for its active use of social media and public statements on security matters, including regional issues. Gen. Muhoozi is also the son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and has served as Chief of Defence Forces since 2024.
As of now, no official confirmation has been provided by the governments of Uganda or South Sudan regarding Gabriel’s detention or location. The situation remains fluid, and journalists and analysts caution that unverified reports and deactivated accounts can complicate understanding of unfolding developments.
