KAMPALA — Uganda’s top military commander has ordered the release of a detained senior officer, marking a significant development in an ongoing internal investigation that has shaken the upper ranks of the armed forces.
The Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has ordered the immediate release of Brig. Gen. Johnson Namanya from military detention following a high-level meeting in which the senior officer was cleared of all allegations.
The development, confirmed by military spokesperson Col. Chris Magezi, follows what officials described as an amicable and friendly session between the two generals. Namanya is expected to resume his military duties effective immediately, signaling a swift return to service after days in custody.
Namanya was taken into custody last week as part of a sweeping internal investigation within the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, an inquiry that has drawn attention to alleged misconduct at the highest levels of the institution. The probe, which has also involved the detention of Maj. Gen. Don William Nabasa, reportedly focuses on allegations of procurement fraud and corruption within the military hierarchy.
Both officers were held at the Kasenyi military facility during the preliminary stages of the inquiry, according to officials familiar with the matter. While Namanya has been exonerated and restored to full service, the status of Nabasa and other senior personnel remains under active review by military intelligence authorities, underscoring the breadth of the ongoing investigation.
Before his recent legal challenges, Namanya served as commissioner for citizenship and passport control at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a role that placed him at the center of Uganda’s immigration and documentation systems. His release now adds a new dimension to a broader anti-corruption drive within the armed forces.
The latest development comes amid an intensified crackdown led by Kainerugaba since he assumed command of the UPDF in March 2024, a campaign that has sought to root out alleged abuse of office and restore institutional discipline.
The effort has already resulted in the arrest of more than 20 senior officers and triggered significant personnel shifts within the Defence Intelligence and Security wing.
Military officials have not yet specified whether Namanya will return to his previous post or be reassigned within the force, leaving open questions about his next role as the investigation continues to unfold.
