By Swift Reporter
President Yoweri Museveni has defended his decision to intervene in the case of Stephen Nuwagaba, saying the young man came to him as a victim of alleged torture and serious injuries by elements within the security forces.
In a lengthy statement responding to journalist Andrew Mwenda, Museveni dismissed claims that Nuwagaba had become a threat to State House and security agencies, arguing that the bigger concern is the alleged criminal conduct of some security personnel.
Museveni said Nuwagaba, whom he described as being in his mid-twenties, came to him as a fugitive after allegedly being tortured and maimed by security personnel who had also threatened to kill him.
According to the President, Nuwagaba required medical treatment both in Uganda and abroad and remained under his care for several months as he recovered from the alleged torture and trauma.
“This young man has laid ‘siege’ on State House and the Security Agencies. There is big danger to the country,” Museveni said, sarcastically referring to the narrative surrounding Nuwagaba.
He instead argued that the real danger lies in security personnel who allegedly abuse their authority, conceal criminal acts and prevent information about wrongdoing from reaching senior government leaders.
Museveni said some of the security personnel accused of torturing Nuwagaba are already facing court proceedings, adding that investigations into the wider circumstances surrounding the case are ongoing.
“The terrible thing is that these alleged torturers and maimers were belonging to our security forces. Is this what we and the People of Uganda fought for?” he asked.
The President strongly condemned torture, extrajudicial killings and other forms of abuse, saying such actions are inconsistent with the principles for which the National Resistance Movement and its predecessors fought.
“Torture, maiming or assassinations of opponents are immoral, counter-revolutionary, not strategic and not necessary for we the freedom fighters,” Museveni said.
He further stated that he has never tortured or ordered the torture of an opponent during his decades of political and military struggle.
Museveni acknowledged that the security agencies have in the past been infiltrated by “corrupt and non-patriotic elements” who have committed crimes with impunity. He, however, warned that efforts to fight criminality must themselves remain within acceptable standards.
“In fighting impunity, they should not commit their own crimes, such as torture, extra-judicial killings, etc.,” he said.
The President also defended the continued use of intelligence from informal sources, rejecting Mwenda’s suggestion that informal intelligence-gathering methods were only appropriate during the bush war.
Museveni gave several examples from the 1981–1986 NRA struggle, explaining how information from civilian supporters, informers and signals intelligence contributed to successful military operations.
He argued that even after the NRM took power, informal sources have remained important in exposing corruption and wrongdoing, particularly where formal structures fail to act.
According to Museveni, some of the information reaching him about corruption and criminality has come from individuals outside formal intelligence structures.
He cited alleged corruption in government programmes, road projects and local government recruitment as examples of issues requiring greater attention.
“The reality on the ground is that the main problem of Uganda is not Nuwagaba seizing State House and the Security Forces, but the criminals, including some in the Security Forces and other organs,” Museveni said.
Museveni also questioned why Mwenda’s investigative efforts had not focused more heavily on alleged corruption in programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), roads and the sale of government jobs.
On Nuwagaba specifically, Museveni said the young man should be held accountable if he has committed wrongdoing, but insisted that this should not distract from allegations of torture and abuse committed against him and his family.
“If he has got problems like lying, he will account for those,” Museveni said, adding that the alleged abuse of Nuwagaba and his family should nevertheless be properly investigated.
The President concluded by reiterating that Uganda’s security institutions must fight criminality without becoming perpetrators themselves.
“Those mistakes are not moral, ideologically correct or strategic,” Museveni said.
His response comes amid growing public debate over Nuwagaba’s activities, his relationship with State House and allegations involving security agencies. Museveni said he would provide more details on the matter at a later stage.
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