UPDF Responds Strongly To Viral Fake Document Defying Supreme Court Ruling

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has dismissed as fake a letter circulating on social media, which claims that the military is rejecting a Supreme Court ruling and threatening judicial officials.

The letter, dated February 2, 2025, alleges that the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs directed the immediate revocation of a Supreme Court decision.

It also claims that the army will arrest individuals named in the ruling and warns Chief Justice Alphonse Owiny-Dollo to reconsider his position. The document appears to bear the signature of Brig. Gen. Felix Kulayigye, supposedly acting on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces.

However, the UPDF has come out strongly to deny any involvement, calling the letter fabricated and misleading.

The army has urged the public to ignore it, saying it is meant to cause panic and tarnish the image of the institution. The UPDF also reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the Constitution and respecting judicial independence.

A closer examination of the letter raises several red flags. The tone is unusual for official military communication, as it is aggressive and lacks the formal language normally used in UPDF documents.

Additionally, the army does not have the authority to override Supreme Court rulings, making the alleged directive legally questionable. The e-signature on the letter also does not match the standard UPDF format, casting further doubt on its authenticity.