Ugandan Officer Leaks Footage Allegedly Showing Torture in Secret Detention Facility

Herbert Matanda Mabonga, an intelligence officer in the Ugandan army, says he secretly recorded evidence while being imprisoned for nearly six months after investigating corruption allegations. According to Mabonga, the footage shows the treatment of individuals detained for political reasons and provides rare visual evidence of alleged abuses within the country’s security system.

The videos have attracted hundreds of thousands of views on social media, particularly on TikTok, and have fueled renewed scrutiny of Uganda’s human rights record.

Uganda has been governed for four decades by President Yoweri Museveni, one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. His son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, currently serves as head of the army and has frequently attracted attention through controversial social media posts concerning political opponents and national politics.

Human rights advocates say the leaked footage could be a significant development.

“It is the first time that we have evidence that they cannot refute,” said Agather Atuhaire, a Ugandan rights activist, in comments to AFP.

However, Ugandan authorities have rejected the allegations.

Army spokesperson Chris Magezi dismissed Mabonga’s claims, describing them as “rubbish,” while President Museveni has previously denied allegations that he has ordered or authorized the torture of political opponents.

Despite those denials, several international organisations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the United Nations, have previously documented allegations involving enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, and torture in Uganda.

Rights groups have repeatedly called for independent investigations into reported abuses and greater accountability within the country’s security services. Ugandan authorities have maintained that they respect the law and investigate misconduct when credible evidence is presented.

The release of the footage is expected to increase pressure on the government, both domestically and internationally, as calls grow for an independent examination of the allegations and the conditions within detention facilities.

FB Note: This article reports allegations and claims made by a Ugandan military officer regarding a detention facility. The claims are disputed by Ugandan authorities, and calls for independent investigation continue.