The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has dismissed the recently released videos of an alleged torture centre in Abayita Ababiri, Katabi Town Council, in Wakiso district showing political prisoners under detention by to Lt Herbert Matanda Mabonga as a pile of rubbish.
The UPDF acting Director Defence Public Information Chris Magezi, in a statement on his X account, said the force has taken note of serious criminal allegations made on social media platforms against it, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and the President Yoweri Museveni.
He noted that the claims attributed to Lt Mabonga, who he says is a UPDF deserter, are a pile of unsubstantiated rubbish composed of forgeries, doctored images, and concoctions.
“Lt Mabonga, formerly a junior officer attached to the Chieftaincy of Defence Intelligence and Security was transferred to the Mountain Infantry Division headquarters in Fort Portal for reassignment in November, 2025”he said.
However, Magezi revealed that Mabonga did not report to his new duty station and was subsequently declared AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave).
“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” he said.
Magezi further revealed that Lt Mabonga will be arrested and paraded before the General court martial for prosecution.
“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” he said.
