President Yoweri Museveni has defended his decision to intervene in the case of Stephen Nuwagaba, a young man he says was a victim of torture and mistreatment by elements within the security forces. In a lengthy statement, Museveni accused journalist Andrew Mwenda of misrepresenting the matter and diverting public attention from what he described as deeper challenges involving corruption and misconduct within some security agencies. The President said Nuwagaba came to him as a victim of alleged torture and had received medical treatment locally and abroad. Museveni warned security agencies against human rights violations, saying torture, extrajudicial actions and abuse of power are inconsistent with the principles of the liberation struggle and undermine national security. Museveni also defended the government’s intelligence structures, saying both formal and informal channels have played roles in addressing national security threats and exposing wrongdoing.