The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has rejected allegations attributed to Lt Herbert Matanda Mabonga against the army, the Chief of Defence Forces and the President, and vowed to arrest him.
In a statement, the army described Mabonga as a deserter and accused him of circulating forgeries, doctored images and fabricated claims on social media.
“The claims attributed to Lt Mabonga, a UPDF deserter, are a pile of unsubstantiated rubbish composed of forgeries, doctored images, and concoctions,” said Col Chris Magezi, the acting director of defence public information.
Magezi said Mabonga previously served as a junior officer attached to the Chieftaincy of Defence Intelligence and Security.
In 2025, the army transferred him to the Mountain Infantry Division headquarters in Fort Portal for reassignment. According to Magezi, he failed to report and the army declared him absent without leave.
The army later classified his absence as desertion. Magezi said Mabonga has since been on the run.
The UPDF also said it wants Mabonga over allegations of extorting money from business groups and individuals in Kampala and other areas. It further accused him of involvement in fraudulent land transactions and forging land titles.
