Herbert Matanda Mabonga leaks footage of torture in secret Ugandan jail

Herbert Matanda Mabonga, a Ugandan army officer, has released smuggled video footage purportedly showing the brutal torture of political opponents within a secret detention facility. The revelation has sparked international condemnation and provided rare visual evidence to support long-standing allegations of state-sponsored abuse under President Yoweri Museveni’s administration. Human rights organisations have noted that the leaked materials corroborate existing reports regarding enforced disappearances and the mistreatment of dissenters in the East African nation. The footage was recorded by Mabonga himself while he was incarcerated for investigating corruption within the military. Using a concealed device from his own cell, the officer captured disturbing images of individuals allegedly suffering under the regime's security apparatus. Among those identified in the videos is Sam Mugumya, a prominent advisor to the Ugandan opposition who had previously been reported missing. The presence of such high-profile figures in clandestine detention centers underscores the dangers faced by those who challenge the status quo in Uganda. Despite the visual evidence, the Ugandan government and the national army have categorically denied the existence of any such secret jails or "safe houses." Official statements maintain that no unauthorized detention facilities are operated by the state. However, the release of this footage has intensified calls for independent investigations into the country's human rights record. International observers warn that the continued use of extrajudicial detention threatens the democratic fabric of the nation and places political activists at severe risk.