Gen Muhoozi Frees Brig Gen Namanya After ‘Friendly Meeting

Gen Muhoozi (R) with Brig Namanya

KAMPALA: Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has ordered the release of Brigadier General Johnson Namanya from detention after what the army described as an “amicable and friendly meeting” that cleared him of all allegations.

In a statement issued by army spokesperson Chris Magezi, Namanya was exonerated and will immediately resume his military duties.

“Brig Gen Johnson Namanya has been released from detention following an amicable and friendly meeting with the CDF, in which he was cleared of all allegations leveled against him. He will resume his military duties,” Magezi said.

Namanya had been arrested last week alongside Major General Don Nabasa in a move that had sparked speculation within military and political circles about internal disciplinary actions within the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).

The army has not publicly disclosed the nature of the allegations that led to the officers’ detention, nor provided details on whether Maj Gen Nabasa remains in custody.

Before his current military deployment, Namanya previously served in Uganda’s immigration system, where he worked with the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, giving him experience in border security and migration management — a role closely linked to national security operations.

The swift turnaround — from arrest to clearance — suggests the matter may have been resolved internally at the highest levels of military leadership, underscoring the centralized command structure under Gen. Muhoozi.

The UPDF has in recent months undertaken a series of internal reorganisations and disciplinary actions as part of what officials describe as efforts to strengthen professionalism, cohesion and operational readiness within the force.

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Namanya’s reinstatement signals a de-escalation of the issue and a return to normalcy, although questions remain about the circumstances surrounding the arrests and the broader implications for military command dynamics.