KAMPALA, Uganda — Two senior officers of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have been placed in custody at a military installation in Kasenyi, in a move that underscores ongoing internal reviews within the force.
Major General Don William Nabasa and Brigadier General Johnson Namanya Abaho are currently being held following directives issued by Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
The development, reported on March 27, has not been accompanied by an official statement detailing the reasons for their detention or any formal charges, leaving the circumstances surrounding the action unclear.
Major General Nabasa is a seasoned officer who previously commanded the Third Infantry Division in Moroto and served as head of the Special Forces Command.
He later transitioned to a strategic role at UPDF headquarters, where he has been overseeing Joint Staff Policy and Strategy since January 2025, a position central to long-term defence planning.
Brigadier General Namanya had recently resumed military duties after serving on secondment at the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC), where he held the role of Commissioner for Citizenship and Passport Management.
His recall to the military in February 2026 followed a directive by the CDF ordering a comprehensive review of immigration-related operations, suggesting heightened scrutiny across institutions linked to national security.
Sources familiar with the matter indicate that the detentions may be linked to ongoing efforts to enforce discipline and accountability within the UPDF, including reviews of operational performance and administrative conduct.
Since assuming leadership, General Muhoozi has overseen a series of swift personnel changes, including adjustments in military intelligence structures, signalling a broader push to strengthen professionalism, readiness, and institutional integrity.
The developments come amid reports of increased military activity around the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Mbuya.
Residents and eyewitnesses have noted an unusually visible deployment of Special Forces Command (SFC) personnel and equipment in the area over recent days, with units positioned near key installations in what observers describe as a heightened security posture.
While authorities have not formally linked these deployments to the detention of the two generals, the timing has prompted speculation and widespread discussion.
The situation unfolds against a backdrop of heightened security sensitivity in Uganda, following reports that opposition figure Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, recently evaded security surveillance and is believed to have left the country.
Reports indicate that several officers assigned to his security detail have since been arrested, while intelligence officials are facing scrutiny over the lapse.
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Analysts suggest these parallel developments point to a broader tightening of security oversight across multiple state agencies.
The absence of an official explanation from UPDF spokespersons has left key questions unanswered regarding the nature of the allegations, if any, and the potential implications for the military’s command structure.
Kasenyi, where the two generals are being held, is a secure military site historically associated with specialised training and sensitive operations, indicating the seriousness with which the matter is being handled.
As internal processes continue, further details are expected to emerge, with potential ramifications for ongoing reform efforts within the UPDF and the broader security architecture.
