The Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has ordered the release of Brigadier General Johnson Namanya after four days of detention.
The development was confirmed on Tuesday, March 31 st, 2026, by the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, Colonel Chris Magezi.
“The Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has today released Brig Gen Johnson Namanya from detention after an amicable and friendly meeting in which the latter was cleared of all allegations levelled against him. Brig Gen Namanya will resume his military duties accordingly,” Col Magezi said.
Brig Gen Namanya had been arrested on March 27th, 2026, alongside Major General Don William Nabasa on the orders of Gen Kainerugaba, in what military sources described as part of an ongoing crackdown on alleged corruption within the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces.
According to information reported at the time, the two generals were detained at the Kasenyi military detention facility following their arrest.
The arrests coincided with a shake-up within the Defence Intelligence and Security (DIS), formerly the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), where Col Abdul Rugumayo was dropped as Deputy Chief and replaced by Brig Gen Oscar Munanura.
At the time of his arrest, Maj Gen Nabasa was serving as Joint Staff Policy and Strategy in the UPDF, having been appointed to the position in January 2025.
Brig Gen Namanya had also recently returned to active military service after serving as Commissioner for Citizenship and Passport Control at the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
No further details have been provided regarding the allegations or the circumstances that led to Brig Gen Namanya’s clearance and subsequent release.
