Uganda: State House and Security Agencies Under Siege

What the report says

AllAfrica, republishing The Independent of Kampala, reported on July 21, 2026, that a man identified as Stephen Nuwagaba has allegedly gained unusual influence around Uganda’s State House and security agencies by presenting himself as a senior security figure with direct access to President Yoweri Museveni. The report says Nuwagaba claims titles and credentials including UPDF brigadier general, senior presidential adviser, Israeli military and Mossad experience, and postgraduate security training in London; the article presents these claims as disputed or false.

According to The Independent’s investigation, Nuwagaba has used proximity to State House, security escorts, official-looking vehicles and photographs with the president’s family to intimidate officials. The article alleges that he has sought money from vulnerable public servants by threatening to submit damaging reports to Museveni. One detailed allegation involves AIGP Frank Mwesigwa, whom Nuwagaba reportedly accused of links to Rwanda and then allegedly asked for Shs300 million to alter a report. Mwesigwa is said to have refused.

The report further alleges that Nuwagaba fabricated WhatsApp-style exchanges to implicate State House and intelligence personnel, and that several officials’ careers were harmed after reports he submitted. It also says Uganda’s Internal Security Organisation tested his claims of phone-hacking ability, gave him controlled numbers and $1,000, and later concluded he was not credible. The article says Israeli counterparts found no record supporting his claimed Israeli background.

The allegations matter because they suggest possible abuse of perceived presidential access inside sensitive security institutions. The Independent also links Nuwagaba to claims involving exiled writer Kakwenza Rukirabasaija, but the published text provided does not include responses from Nuwagaba, State House or the named agencies.