Former Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) intelligence operative Lt Mabonga has reportedly arrived in Berlin, Germany, after spending more than eight months on the run, with reports indicating that he is seeking asylum over fears for his personal safety if he is forced to return to Uganda.
Mabonga, a former operative of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), is said to have left Uganda after making allegations about activities within the military and security establishment, including claims that implicated senior security officials in operations against government critics.
His reported arrival in Germany marks a new development in a case that has attracted attention because of the serious allegations he made before disappearing from public view.
According to reports surrounding his departure, Mabonga became increasingly disillusioned after allegedly witnessing the torture of opposition supporters who had reportedly been abducted and held in underground detention facilities.
The former intelligence operative claimed that some of the alleged operations involved senior authorities, raising questions about the treatment of government critics and the conduct of security agencies.
However, the allegations have not been independently verified, and the available account does not establish the identities of the alleged victims, the locations of the reported detention facilities or the specific officials said to have been involved.
Mabonga reportedly cited his Christian faith as another factor behind his decision to distance himself from what he described as the brutal treatment of innocent citizens.
His account suggests that the alleged mistreatment of detainees placed him in conflict with activities he believed were inconsistent with his personal convictions.
Fear for His Life
In videos reportedly recorded while he was in hiding, Mabonga allegedly expressed fears that his life was in danger, particularly following the deaths of some of his former superiors.
He claimed that the deaths, coupled with their alleged opposition to plans linked to Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, had intensified his concerns about his own security.
The claims introduce another dimension to Mabonga’s reported flight, although the circumstances surrounding the deaths he referenced and the alleged connection to disagreements involving the military leadership remain unclear.
There has been no independent confirmation establishing that the deaths were connected to Mabonga’s disappearance or that he was being targeted because of the positions allegedly taken by his former superiors.
For months, Mabonga reportedly remained in hiding while attempting to avoid security operatives he believed were looking for him. His movements during that period have not been fully established in the information available.
Berlin Arrival and Asylum Bid
Reports indicate that Mabonga arrived in Berlin last week, following arrangements allegedly facilitated by contacts within security circles and opposition activists.
He is reportedly seeking asylum in Germany on the grounds that returning to Uganda could expose him to serious danger.
An asylum application would place his claims within a process in which German authorities would need to assess his identity, circumstances, account of events and any risks he might face if returned to his country of origin.
However, it remains unclear whether Mabonga has formally lodged an asylum application, whether German authorities have registered his case or whether any decision has been made regarding his immigration status.
The circumstances of his reported arrival in Berlin have also not been independently established.
Questions Remain Over His Allegations
Mabonga’s reported escape comes amid renewed attention to his allegations about military operations, the treatment of opposition supporters and the conduct of senior security officials.
His former position within military intelligence could make his account a subject of public interest, but his background alone does not establish the accuracy of the claims he has made.
The allegations concerning torture, underground detention facilities, senior officials and threats to his life require independent corroboration. No verified evidence has been provided in the account available to establish the full circumstances surrounding his departure.
It also remains unclear whether the Ugandan military or the officials mentioned in his claims have formally responded to the allegations.
For now, Mabonga’s reported arrival in Germany represents a significant development in his disappearance, while questions about his whereabouts during the past eight months, the circumstances of his departure and the substance of his claims remain unresolved.
His reported asylum bid could bring further scrutiny to the allegations if they are formally presented to German authorities, although the outcome of any such process will depend on evidence and the relevant legal procedures.
Neither his asylum status nor the allegations against military officials have been independently confirmed.
