A shadowy unit within Uganda's military, known as the Special Forces Command (SFC), has been accused of helping long-serving President Yoweri Museveni maintain his iron grip on power. The elite unit, comprising highly trained and well-equipped officers, is believed to have been instrumental in suppressing opposition movements and maintaining Museveni's rule since 1986.
The SFC was established during Museveni's early years as president and has a motto stating "there is no substitute for loyalty." Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the current commander of the unit and Museveni's son, has expanded it into an estimated 10,000-strong force. The regular army is thought to have around 40,000 active members.
Opposition leaders have described the SFC as a "torture squad" and accused its officers of carrying out human rights abuses, including beatings and detention without trial. In May, Museveni's presidency confirmed the detention of an opposition leader's bodyguard, who had been missing for days.
Critics argue that the SFC is a tool of regime survival through brutality and operates with impunity due to its close ties to Museveni. The unit's dominance over the military and its operations have led to concerns about power struggles within the army after Museveni steps down.
The Uganda Law Society said the incident with the opposition leader was "part of a systematic campaign to silence dissent and crush the aspirations of people yearning for freedom." The shadowy nature of the SFC has often led to accusations that its existence was illegal, but in June, parliament passed a legislative amendment recognizing the unit as one of four official military services.
Analysts have warned that a power struggle could break out between rival factions within the army after Museveni's rule ends. Dr. Godfrey Tumushabe, a respected Ugandan analyst, expressed concern about the stability of the country saying "all that we have is the absence of war."
The existence and activities of the SFC have sparked fears that Uganda may not transition smoothly from its authoritarian regime to democracy. The unit's role in maintaining Museveni's rule has raised concerns among international observers and human rights groups, who call for greater transparency and accountability within Uganda's military.
As Museveni prepares to run for a second term next year, the SFC's continued involvement in suppressing opposition movements raises questions about the country's ability to hold free and fair elections. The outcome of these elections and how they will be influenced by the activities of the SFC remain uncertain.
The SFC was established during Museveni's early years as president and has a motto stating "there is no substitute for loyalty." Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the current commander of the unit and Museveni's son, has expanded it into an estimated 10,000-strong force. The regular army is thought to have around 40,000 active members.
Opposition leaders have described the SFC as a "torture squad" and accused its officers of carrying out human rights abuses, including beatings and detention without trial. In May, Museveni's presidency confirmed the detention of an opposition leader's bodyguard, who had been missing for days.
Critics argue that the SFC is a tool of regime survival through brutality and operates with impunity due to its close ties to Museveni. The unit's dominance over the military and its operations have led to concerns about power struggles within the army after Museveni steps down.
The Uganda Law Society said the incident with the opposition leader was "part of a systematic campaign to silence dissent and crush the aspirations of people yearning for freedom." The shadowy nature of the SFC has often led to accusations that its existence was illegal, but in June, parliament passed a legislative amendment recognizing the unit as one of four official military services.
Analysts have warned that a power struggle could break out between rival factions within the army after Museveni's rule ends. Dr. Godfrey Tumushabe, a respected Ugandan analyst, expressed concern about the stability of the country saying "all that we have is the absence of war."
The existence and activities of the SFC have sparked fears that Uganda may not transition smoothly from its authoritarian regime to democracy. The unit's role in maintaining Museveni's rule has raised concerns among international observers and human rights groups, who call for greater transparency and accountability within Uganda's military.
As Museveni prepares to run for a second term next year, the SFC's continued involvement in suppressing opposition movements raises questions about the country's ability to hold free and fair elections. The outcome of these elections and how they will be influenced by the activities of the SFC remain uncertain.
like how can one man have so much power? Museveni's been in charge for ages, what if he just decides to rule forever? 
I mean, I get that some people want stability but at what cost? The SFC sounds like a total nightmare - torture squad is not an exaggeration 
. It's crazy that parliament actually recognized them as official military services... what does that say about the state of democracy in Uganda? 
I mean, I'm not saying it's related to Uganda or anything but I just saw this pic and thought it looked so cool! 
So like, Museveni's got his SFC and they're all powerful and stuff... and meanwhile, in Japan, there are old Nintendo consoles on display and people are totally geeking out about them 
It's wild how different things can be but at the same time kinda connected?
and its getting to the point where ugandans are living in fear of them anyone remember that incident with the opposition leader's bodyguard who was 'missing' for days? 
what happened to him? did museveni's boys just take care of it or whats going on over there i mean, the law society is saying its all part of a systematic campaign to silence dissent but something dont sit right about this whole thing
. And now, it's being described as a "torture squad" with allegations of human rights abuses? No way, that can't be true 
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. And what's up with Museveni running for another term next year? Is he trying to consolidate his power even more? 
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I know it sounds crazy, but hear me out. If Museveni wasn't surrounded by this elite unit, he'd probably lose his grip on power and we'd see a more peaceful handover to whoever comes next. And let's be real, 10,000-strong is not that many for an entire country, so I think it's a good thing they're keeping things in check. The opposition might just take advantage of the situation if Museveni didn't have this "torture squad" looking over his shoulder. Plus, all that talk about power struggles within the army seems like just noise to me... we'd be better off with some stability behind the scenes rather than a bunch of generals fighting each other. 
It's crazy that it's been around since 1986 and has become this powerful force. I mean, 10,000-strong? That's insane! 
And the allegations of human rights abuses? Unacceptable. We need to know what's really going on behind those closed doors.
It's like they're giving him a free pass to continue his authoritarian rule. And what about the power struggles within the army when he steps down? We can't afford to have a destabilizing effect on the country right now.
The international community needs to keep pressure on Uganda to make sure this doesn't happen. We can't let democracy slip away like that. 
! I mean, a unit like that within the military? It sounds like a total dystopia 
. This shadowy unit is like a dark cloud 
hanging over the country, casting a shadow on democracy and human rights. The fact that Museveni's son is in charge of this elite force makes it even more suspicious 
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. The stability of the country depends on free and fair elections, but with the SFC involved, it's hard to see how that can happen 
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. For now, let's keep watching this situation unfold and hoping for the best 
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This is so disturbing! How long can we keep silent on this? 10,000 strong force just to keep Museveni in power 
what if the army splits in half after he steps down? The thought of those people beating and torturing opposition members is heartbreaking 
museveni's grip on power is super shady 
and still have parliament backing them 
the lack of transparency and accountability is giving me anxiety 
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. The Ugandan people deserve better than to be governed by fear and coercion 
. And those human rights abuses? Yeah, that's just not okay. But at the same time, I can see how critics would say that the SFC is a tool of regime survival - they're basically the enforcers of Museveni's rule.
. Still, it's hard not to wonder if there's anything we can really do to hold Museveni and his crew accountable 
. gotta wonder if uganda will ever really be able to break free from this authoritarian regime