Kampala, Uganda: Two senior UPDF officers, Major General Don William Nabasa and Brigadier General Johnson Namanya Abaho, have been detained at Kasenyi military facility on the orders of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Military sources said the duo is currently being held as part of ongoing internal processes within the force, although the specific reasons for their detention had not been officially disclosed by UPDF by publication time.
Maj Gen Nabasa, who currently serves as Joint Staff Policy and Strategy, was appointed to the role on January 3, 2025. He previously commanded the UPDF Third Infantry Division based in Moroto, one of the army’s key operational units in the Karamoja sub-region.
Brig Gen Namanya Abaho until recently served as Commissioner of Citizenship and Passport Management at the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control before his recall last month.
Their detention comes amid what security insiders describe as a broader enforcement drive by Gen Muhoozi aimed at strengthening discipline, accountability, and command efficiency within the military.
Pattern of internal shake-ups
The development follows a series of recent high-level actions within the UPDF command structure, signalling tightening oversight at the top ranks.
Just days ago, Gen Muhoozi ordered the dismissal of Deputy Chief of Military Intelligence Col Abdul Rugumayo, who was replaced by Brig Gen Oscar Munanura in a surprise reshuffle within the intelligence apparatus.
The back-to-back decisions have sparked speculation within security circles about deeper internal reviews targeting leadership conduct and operational performance.
Although UPDF leadership has yet to issue formal communication on the arrests, Gen Muhoozi has in recent months publicly emphasised the need for professionalism, loyalty, and integrity within the force.
Reforms and accountability push
The detention of two senior officers underscores ongoing reforms within the military aimed at reinforcing command structures and enhancing operational credibility.
Analysts say such actions, while often opaque at the initial stage, typically point to internal investigations related to discipline, intelligence handling, or administrative conduct.
The UPDF has over the years undertaken reforms to improve its institutional image, operational readiness, and public confidence, particularly as its role expands in regional security engagements.
The continued silence from official channels means the circumstances surrounding the detention of Maj Gen Nabasa and Brig Gen Namanya remain unclear, with further details expected as investigations progress.
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