Da Dona
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
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President Yoweri Museveni has defended his decision to protect Stephen Nuwagaba, dismissing Andrew Mwenda's criticism and arguing that the real threat to Uganda is corruption and rogue security officers, not the young man at the center of the controversy.
In his brief On X, Museveni says Nuwagaba came to him as a fugitive in his mid-20s after allegedly being tortured, maimed and threatened with death by some members of the security forces. He revealed that Nuwagaba has spent months under his care, receiving treatment in hospitals both in Uganda and abroad, and that some of the officers accused of abusing him are already facing court charges.
The President condemned torture by security personnel, saying it betrays the ideals that Ugandans fought for during the liberation struggle. To illustrate this, he recalled the public executions of FRONASA members under Idi Amin in 1973 and the killings of civilians in the Luwero Triangle during the 1981–1986 war, arguing that such abuses should never be repeated.
Responding to Andrew Mwenda's criticism of informal intelligence networks, Museveni defended their role, saying intelligence during the bush war relied on both trained personnel and ordinary citizens who voluntarily shared information. He recounted how intelligence from a UNLA signaler helped NRA forces during operations against government troops in 1984 and 1985.
Museveni acknowledged that Uganda's intelligence agencies—including ISO, ESO, CMI, the Police and the UPDF—have trained professionals and technical capabilities that have contributed to successes such as the fight against the LRA. However, he argued that some security officers have become corrupt or compromised, making informal sources necessary.
He also accused Mwenda of exaggerating Nuwagaba's importance, saying even if allegations that Nuwagaba impersonated officials, lied about leaders or obtained money from people were true, they are insignificant compared to widespread corruption in government. Museveni cited complaints he received during the recent election campaigns about the Parish Development Model (PDM), the alleged sale of government jobs in local governments, and corruption in road projects.
The President further defended the use of informal whistleblowers, saying they have helped expose major issues that formal institutions either failed to detect or ignored. He cited:
•The sharing of intelligence that helped defuse the 2025 Gen-Z protests.
•The exposure of an alleged corruption ring operating inside State House that was reportedly extorting a gold refinery investor identified as Cohen and plotting to kill him.
•Information that contributed to the arrest of opposition figure Kizza Besigye, while criticizing formal security agencies for taking too long to act on the case.
"The big case of Besigye. Why has it taken 2 years, Besigye refusing to go to court? What have the formal structures been doing about it? It was, actually, the informal actors that helped in the arrest of Besigye."
Museveni concluded by questioning whether Mwenda's criticism was intended to discourage patriots and whistleblowers from exposing corruption and criminality within government institutions. He thanked Ugandans for their participation in the recent LC1 elections and said he would address those results in greater detail at a later time.
For those Unfamiliar with the Controversy:
Stephen Nuwagaba is a young Ugandan who has recently attracted public attention after President Yoweri Museveni said he sought his protection following alleged torture and mistreatment by some security personnel. Journalist Andrew Mwenda had raised concerns about Nuwagaba’s influence and activities, describing him as a potential national security concern and questioning the role of informal actors who have access to the President outside established security structures. Museveni has since rejected Mwenda’s claims, saying Nuwagaba is instead a victim who helped expose failures within formal institutions.
