PRESS STATEMENT
Kampala, Thursday October 1, 2026
Response to Criminal Allegations Attributed to Lt Herbert Matanda Mabonga of the UPDF
The Uganda Peopleโs 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.
The claims attributed to Lt Mabonga, 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 Chieftancy of Defence Intelligence and Security was transferred to the Mountain Infantry Division headquarters in Fort Portal for reassignment in April 2026. However, he did not report to his new duty station and was subsequently declared AWOL.
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 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.
CHRIS MAGEZI
Colonel
Acting Director Defence Public Information
Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs/UPDF
The day Museveni realized his reign was under serious threat and Bobi Wine was not merely a musician, but a powerful voice rallying the masses against autocracy. That day, Museveni didnโt just listen; he even took notes from Bobi Wineโs speech.
@DrBellahh You too were convinced that pretending to support a govt in power would make you rich. Shameless hypocrite, blind to the killings, abductions, human rights violations and abuse of the rule of law by the govt you defend. Conveniently, you can withdraw from X after writing rubbish.