Fresh controversy has emerged surrounding the deadly Bijaambiya killings in the greater Masaka sub-region after UPDF officer Lt. Matanda Mabonga reportedly made serious allegations about the people he believes were behind the attacks and the investigations that followed.

In a video circulating publicly, Mabonga reportedly named an individual identified as Nyonga Tony and alleged that elements within the government had links to the violence. His statements have attracted attention because the Bijaambiya attacks remain one of Uganda’s most disturbing security cases, with many families still seeking answers about the killings.

The officer’s claims have also revived debate about the arrest and prosecution of former opposition MPs Muhammad Ssegirinya and Allan Ssewanyana, who were accused of involvement in murders linked to the Masaka attacks. The two legislators strongly denied the allegations against them.

Ssegirinya, who represented Kawempe North, and Ssewanyana, who represented Makindye West, were arrested in September 2021 and spent nearly two years in detention as they faced criminal proceedings. Their arrests sparked political debate, with opposition figures and human rights activists questioning the investigations and the lengthy period they spent in custody.

The latest allegations have therefore reopened questions about whether the investigations fully established the people responsible for the attacks and whether all possible suspects were thoroughly examined. However, Mabonga’s claims do not, by themselves, prove that the MPs were framed or that any named individual or government official was involved.

Ssegirinya, popularly known as Mr Updates, later died in January 2025 following a period of illness. His death renewed public discussion about his detention, the criminal case and the political controversy that surrounded the Masaka killings.

The allegations made by Mabonga have not been independently verified, and no evidence provided in the circulating account establishes the alleged involvement of Nyonga Tony or security officials. Any claims of criminal responsibility would require credible evidence and proper investigation before conclusions can be reached.

The new statements are likely to intensify calls for transparency over the Bijaambiya killings, particularly from families who lost their loved ones and members of the public who still want to know who planned and carried out the attacks. The central question remains whether the full truth about the Masaka murders has ever been established.