UNSUBSTANTIATED RUBBISH: UPDF Breaks Silence on Shocking Allegations Made by Lt Herbert Matanda Mabonga

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has launched a scathing attack on Lieutenant Herbert Matanda Mabonga, dismissing his explosive allegations against the military, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and President Yoweri Museveni as “a pile of unsubstantiated rubbish”.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, October 1, the military accused the former officer of relying on forged documents, manipulated photographs and fabricated claims to attack the institution and its leadership.

“The claims attributed to Lt Mabonga, a UPDF deserter, are a pile of unsubstantiated rubbish composed of forgeries, doctored images, and concoctions,” said Colonel Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information.

The statement marked the military’s first direct response to the allegations circulated by Mabonga on social media, where he made a series of claims touching on governance, security and intelligence, corruption and human rights in Uganda.

Rather than address each allegation individually, the UPDF focused much of its response on Mabonga’s military record, accusing him of desertion and involvement in criminal activities, including extortion, fraudulent land transactions and forgery.

The military revealed that Mabonga previously served as 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.

However, according to Magezi, the officer failed to report to his new duty station.

“However, he did not report to his new duty station and was subsequently declared AWOL,” the statement reads.

The military said his absence without official leave was later classified as desertion, adding that he had been on the run since.

“Eventually, his AWOL status was upgraded to desertion, and he has been on the run since,” Magezi said.

The UPDF also linked Mabonga to alleged financial and land-related offences, claiming that he was wanted for extorting money from business groups and individuals in Kampala and elsewhere.

“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 statement reads.

The military did not identify the alleged victims, specify the amounts involved or provide details of the land transactions in question.

Magezi further portrayed Mabonga as a disgruntled officer whose conduct and alleged criminal activities had placed him at odds with the military.

“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.

The statement did not specify where Mabonga was believed to be hiding or outline the steps being taken to apprehend him.

It also did not provide documentary evidence to support the allegations of extortion, land fraud or forgery levelled against the former officer.

While the UPDF dismissed Mabonga’s claims as fabricated, its statement stopped short of responding to the specific accusations he made against Museveni, the CDF and the military institution.

The competing allegations have yet to be independently established, with the military’s response primarily challenging Mabonga’s credibility and accusing him of criminal conduct.

You can read more on Lt Herbert Matanda Mabonga’s shocking allegations Here.