UPDF Fake Intel Scandal: Arrest of ADF Mole Exposes Critical Security Breach
The UPDF fake intel scandal has rocked Uganda’s national security circles after the arrest of Hamza Lyavara, a local imam accused of posing as a trusted informant while secretly working with the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). His arrest marks a chilling breach within military intelligence structures.
Lyavara, known for his technical knowledge of explosives and extremist indoctrination, is suspected of manipulating Uganda’s Defence Intelligence system to disrupt counterterrorism operations. According to security insiders, Lyavara cleverly shared partial truths from within ADF ranks, giving him credibility before allegedly misleading authorities with false reports.
One senior source revealed, “He blended real data with fiction—enough to derail decisions at the highest levels.”
The scandal has triggered a broader probe into Uganda’s security apparatus. Recently, two top intelligence officers—Colonel Peter Ahimbisibwe and Lt. Colonel Ephraim Byaruhanga—were also detained at Mbuya’s Defence Intelligence HQ. Investigators are examining claims that their units may have been compromised by similar disinformation.
The Nkalubo Deception
Central to the scandal is the controversial report that ADF commander Meddie Nkalubo—known by aliases including The Punisher—was killed in a 2023 UPDF airstrike in the DRC. The supposed death, announced in a presidential address and hailed by officials like Fred Enanga, was celebrated as a strategic win.
However, new intelligence suggests Nkalubo may have faked his death. Authorities believe Lyavara played a key role in this misinformation campaign, deceiving not just military planners but Uganda’s highest office.
The false death report of Nkalubo, who remains under U.S. and EU sanctions, has raised fears that Uganda’s strategic decisions may have been shaped by enemy-planted lies.
Echoes of CIA’s Khost Failure
The Lyavara case now draws comparisons to the CIA’s 2009 Khost bombing, where a supposed double agent killed seven American operatives in a suicide attack. Like that tragic failure, Lyavara’s deception appears to have involved gaining trust with real intel, only to sabotage from within.
An internal review ordered by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba is ongoing, with deeper investigations expected. Meanwhile, Lyavara’s arrest is a stark reminder of the complex intelligence battles Uganda faces in its war against extremism.
What This Means for Uganda
As Uganda expands its counterterrorism efforts, the fake intel scandal may reshape how intelligence is vetted, shared, and acted upon. If proven, the breach underscores the need for enhanced vetting of informants and multi-agency verification processes.
The government has yet to issue an official statement, but insiders confirm that more arrests and operational reforms are likely.
For detailed background on Uganda’s evolving counterterrorism strategy, readers can explore this UPDF Amendment Act article and this insight into Nixon Agasirwe’s arrest.
