The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has dismissed allegations of human rights abuses against Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba published by The New York Times, describing them as unfounded and accusing Western media of conducting a campaign against the military chief.
In a statement dated October 10, 2026, and signed by Col. Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, the UPDF challenged an October 8 article by journalist Megan K. Stack titled “The Authoritarian Future Is Already Here.”
The article cited Ugandan author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, who alleged that he was tortured while in detention and that Gen. Muhoozi personally subjected him to humiliating treatment.
Magezi denied that the two men had ever met.
“To put it clear, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has never met Kakwenza Rukirabashaija in his life,” Magezi said, describing the allegations as false.
According to the UPDF spokesperson, the article repeated narratives advanced by opposition figures and activists and formed part of what he called a campaign by Western media organisations against Gen. Muhoozi.
Magezi cited previous publications by The Telegraph, The Wall Street Journal and The Economist that examined Gen. Muhoozi’s political ambitions, public statements and possible succession to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
He argued that the publications reflected the preferences of Western media organisations regarding Uganda’s political future, adding that the country’s next leadership would be determined by Ugandans.
The UPDF also questioned the credibility of the allegations reported by The New York Times, arguing that serious accusations of human rights abuses required verifiable evidence.
“Serious accusations require serious evidence, not reliance on anecdotal, or politically motivated sources,” Magezi said.
Kakwenza has alleged that he suffered severe physical abuse during detention, including beatings that fractured his ankle bones, damaged his kidneys and left scars on his back. He also alleged that Gen. Muhoozi visited him in detention and subjected him to humiliating treatment before offering him money to remain silent about the alleged abuse.
Magezi disputed the account, arguing that the allegations were inconsistent, and described Kakwenza as a “known fiction teller”.
The UPDF said it operates within Uganda’s legal framework and would continue supporting civilian authorities in maintaining law and order when required. It also said military personnel who break the law would be held accountable.
Magezi further argued that Uganda’s courts were functional and capable of handling allegations when evidence was presented.
The statement concluded with a warning against what the military described as external interference in Uganda’s internal affairs.
The UPDF’s statement did not provide independent evidence to substantiate its denial that Gen. Muhoozi had met Kakwenza or to resolve the competing accounts of the alleged abuse.
The allegations and the military’s response could not be independently verified from the statement alone.
