Museveni Defends Nuwagaba, Accuses Mwenda of Scheming to Cover Up Security Abuses

What the report says

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has publicly defended Stephen Nuwagaba, a young man at the centre of a dispute over alleged influence in State House and security circles, according to SoftPower News. In a lengthy statement, Museveni said Nuwagaba approached him as a person who had suffered torture and threats, not as someone representing a security threat.

The statement, published by SoftPower News, was framed as a response to commentator Andrew Mwenda and accused him of trying to divert attention from alleged security abuses. The report indicates the president’s remarks were aimed at challenging claims surrounding Nuwagaba’s role and the broader conduct of security officials, though the article snippet does not provide the full details of the exchange.

The issue matters because it touches on longstanding concerns in Uganda about the treatment of civilians by security agencies and the influence of informal access to top government offices. In general, disputes involving State House, security organs and public commentators often become politically sensitive because they can raise questions about accountability, abuse of power and the handling of complaints by victims. SoftPower News said the president’s comments formed part of a broader written response, but the available text does not include the complete statement or any final resolution.