Shake-Up Looms in President’s Convoy Unit Over Torture of Next Media Employee’s Brother

The elite Special Forces Command (SFC), tasked with protecting President Yoweri Museveni, is under intense scrutiny after explosive allegations of torture surfaced involving a civilian allegedly brutalized by members of the presidential convoy unit.

The incident, which has sparked widespread outrage, is now poised to shake up the inner ranks of the elite security team, with sources indicating that heads are set to roll.

The storm was set off by Mark Agaba, a well-known media personality from Next Radio, who took to social media to expose the ordeal his brother suffered at the hands of SFC operatives.

In an open letter posted on X, Agaba detailed how his brother—who was rushing home to help his pregnant wife in distress—was intercepted, beaten, and thrown into the boot of a car during a routine lockdown for the presidential convoy.

Despite following all instructions from security personnel, Agaba’s brother was allegedly treated as a threat, detained for two days, and released bearing physical signs of torture, including torn toenails and bruises.

Following public backlash and growing media attention, the elite top military brass have initiated an internal investigation, and according to insiders, several members of the convoy security detail are expected to face disciplinary action, including suspensions, demotions, or outright dismissal.

“This is not just about one case,” a senior security source told local media under condition of anonymity.

“There is a growing concern within the command about the methods used by some of the operatives. The directive from above is clear—this behavior will no longer be tolerated.”

Pattern of Abuse and Intimidation

The incident has reignited long-standing concerns over the heavy-handedness of the presidential security convoy, which often brings Kampala to a standstill, leaving chaos and fear in its wake.

City residents have increasingly expressed frustration at how the convoy is managed—vehicles are pulled off the road with little warning, boda boda riders are manhandled, and pedestrians scattered with force.

Multiple reports have emerged over the years of citizens being slapped, dragged, or even arrested for “non-compliance,” despite showing no resistance.

In 2023, a young man riding with his sick mother to a hospital was reportedly blocked by convoy officers and told to “wait like everyone else.”

His mother later passed away. In another incident, a school bus full of children was forced to idle for over an hour without explanation, leading to a health scare for one of the pupils.

A Call for Reform

With the current scandal putting the spotlight back on the SFC, civil rights groups are calling for broader reforms to the president’s convoy protocols.

Legal experts argue that the security unit has operated for too long with unchecked power, often behaving with impunity in the name of protecting the president.

“If this is how they treat someone who was simply trying to help his pregnant wife, what happens in the shadows to others who can’t speak up?” asked one human rights lawyer.

In a statement shared by state house today, the elite army asked the public to volunteer more information regarding similar cases of brutality by it’s officers for action.

As pressure mounts and the investigation moves forward, all eyes are on the SFC command and state house.