Brig Gen Namanya Released After Amicable Meeting with CDF Muhoozi

Brig Gen Johnson Namanya has been released from military detention and cleared of all allegations following a friendly meeting with Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba. The UPDF confirmed he will resume his duties immediately, while the status of detained Maj Gen Don William Nabasa remains unclear.

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has released Brigadier General Johnson Namanya from military detention after he was fully cleared of all allegations during a cordial meeting with Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

Acting Director of Defence Public Information, Col. Chris Magezi, confirmed the development on Tuesday, describing the meeting as “amicable and friendly.”

“The CDF, General Kainerugaba, has today released Brig Gen Namanya from detention after an amicable and friendly meeting in which the latter was cleared of all allegations levelled against him. Brig Gen Namanya will resume his military duties accordingly,” Col. Magezi stated.

Brigadier General Johnson Namanya, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba

The swift resolution comes just days after Brig Gen Namanya and Maj Gen Don William Nabasa were detained following interrogation by the Deputy CDF, Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding. Both officers were subsequently held at the Kasenyi military detention facility.

While Namanya has been exonerated and reinstated, the UPDF has remained silent on the current status or fate of Maj Gen Don William Nabasa, who serves as Joint Staff in charge of Policy and Strategy.

Maj Gen Nabasa, a seasoned officer with extensive experience, was appointed to his current role in January 2025. He previously commanded the 3rd Infantry Division in Moroto, where he led special forces and anti-terrorism operations in Karamoja. He has also served as Commander of the UPDF Military Police (appointed in 2021), Commander of the Special Forces Command (2017), and led the Ugandan contingent in Somalia under the African Union Mission.

The brief detention of the two senior officers had sparked interest within military and security circles, but the army has so far provided no further details regarding Maj Gen Nabasa.