Editor’s Note: The following story is adapted on an investigative report, first published by The Independent. DailyExpress has not independently verified the allegations contained in the investigation, and the claims herein remain allegations unless confirmed by competent authorities or determined by a court of law.
Kampala, Uganda: An explosive investigation by The Independent Newspaper has cast fresh scrutiny on Uganda’s security establishment, alleging that a man described as an intelligence impostor successfully gained the confidence of President Museveni and has since used that access to allegedly blackmail senior government officials, manipulate intelligence reports and fuel divisions within the country’s security agencies.
In the investigation published by the local daily’s Investigation Team, Stephen Nuwagaba is portrayed as presenting himself as a UPDF brigadier general, a Senior Presidential Adviser on Intelligence and Security, and a former operative of Israel’s Defence Forces (IDF) and Mossad, claims the publication says security agencies have found to be false.
According to the paper’s report, Nuwagaba allegedly projected an image of immense influence by moving with heavily armed Special Forces Command (SFC) escorts, driving vehicles bearing State House registration plates and residing within Nakasero State Lodge.
The publication further alleges that these symbols of authority convinced many public officials that he enjoyed direct access to President Museveni, allowing him to wield considerable influence over careers within government. This perceived proximity to the President became the foundation of an elaborate extortion network targeting senior officials across Uganda’s security establishment.
Extortion Claims Against Senior Security Officials
According to the Independent, one of the most striking allegations involves Assistant Inspector General of Police Frank Mwesigwa.
The publication reports that in January this year, Nuwagaba allegedly requested a meeting with Mwesigwa at Police Headquarters in Naguru, where he claimed to possess intelligence linking the senior police officer to the Government of Rwanda.
The report alleges that Nuwagaba would later demand Shs300 million, promising to alter a report destined for President Museveni if the money was paid.
According to the investigation, Mwesigwa rejected the alleged demand and ordered him out of his office. The publication further claims that Nuwagaba later sent threatening messages warning that the police commander’s days in office were numbered.
Nuwagaba is also linked to subsequent legal troubles involving Cynthia Kalanzi, who reportedly sold land to Mwesigwa, and endless attempts to pressure the police commander, although no official findings have been presented establishing such a connection.
Forgery, Fake WhatsApp Chats and Intelligence Reports
Perhaps the most startling allegations concern claims that fabricated WhatsApp conversations were allegedly used to implicate senior State House officials.
According to the report, security sources allege that Nuwagaba created fake WhatsApp accounts using profile photographs of targeted officials before generating conversations with himself. The investigation claims these fabricated chats were later presented to President Museveni as evidence that senior officials were engaged in subversive activities.
Among those reportedly affected, according to the publication, are former Presidential Aide-de-Camp Lt Col Naboth Katezi, State House officials Susan Kasingye and Lt Col Betty Agaba, as well as senior military and intelligence officers, including Maj Gen Richard Otto, Maj Arthur Mugyenyi and Maj Gen Keith Katungi.
DailyExpress has not independently verified these allegations, and none of the officials named in the report are quoted responding to the claims.
ISO Probe Allegedly Debunked Intelligence Credentials
The report further claims that concerns over Nuwagaba’s credentials prompted the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) to assess his claims after he reportedly told Security Minister Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi that he possessed sophisticated cyber capabilities acquired while working with Israeli intelligence.
According to The Independent, ISO officers allegedly gave him an operational assignment and advanced him US$1,000 to demonstrate his claimed hacking capabilities. The publication says he never returned.
It further reports that Ugandan intelligence agencies later contacted Israeli counterparts to verify his claimed military and intelligence background, and Israeli authorities found no record that Nuwagaba had ever entered Israel, served in the Israel Defense Forces or worked for Mossad.
These claims have not been independently verified by DailyExpress.
Kakwenza Connection
The report also alleges that Nuwagaba claimed to be in communication with self-exiled Ugandan author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija while simultaneously requesting government funds purportedly intended to support his return to Uganda.
According to The Independent, security agencies later became suspicious after confidential State House information allegedly appeared in Kakwenza’s publications.
The investigation claims security officials suspected Nuwagaba of leaking sensitive information while presenting himself as the intermediary between the government and the exiled writer.
Neither Kakwenza nor Nuwagaba’s responses to these allegations are included in the published investigation.
How Nuwagaba gained access to State House
The publication traces Nuwagaba’s public emergence to 2023, when he made allegations involving senior public officials and political figures, including claims relating to FUFA President Moses Magogo, Speaker Anita Among and police spokesperson Charles Twine.
According to the newspaper, several civil society actors and journalists initially interacted with him before distancing themselves after questioning the credibility of his claims.
The investigation also recounts an alleged meeting with Gen Salim Saleh, during which the retired general reportedly questioned Nuwagaba’s mental state and recommended psychiatric evaluation. The report says Saleh was later surprised to learn that Nuwagaba had allegedly gained the President’s confidence.
Broader Concerns Within Security Establishment
Beyond the individual allegations, The Independent argues that the episode exposes broader weaknesses within Uganda’s intelligence system.
The publication says sources within State House believe informal intelligence channels have increasingly allowed self-styled informants to influence decision-making without adequate verification. According to The Independent, this environment has created opportunities for manipulation, internal rivalries and misinformation that risk undermining national security institutions.
While informal intelligence networks played a significant role during the National Resistance Movement’s liberation struggle, insiders now fear those same structures may be ill-suited to managing the complexities of modern state intelligence.
The allegations contained in the investigation have not been independently verified by DailyExpress and should be understood as claims reported by The Independent. Individuals mentioned in the report are entitled to respond to the allegations.
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