Parliament gives govt two weeks to account for Mugumya, other missing persons
The Ugandan Parliament has issued a two-week ultimatum to the government to account for the whereabouts of opposition activist Sam Mugumya and other missing persons. The demand follows the circulation of distressing images of Mugumya, despite previous military denials of his detention.
Why it matters
This situation underscores ongoing tensions regarding human rights, government accountability, and the treatment of political dissidents in Uganda.
The Opposition in Parliament has demanded that the government account for the whereabouts of opposition activist Sam Mugumya, after a video purportedly showing him in a distressed condition circulated on social media.
Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LoP) Joel Ssenyonyi raised the matter during plenary on October 1, saying Parliament had repeatedly sought explanations from government over people reported missing, abducted or held without being produced in court.
Ssenyonyi said he had previously submitted names of people reported missing to the Ministry of Internal Affairs after its Permanent Secretary asked him to provide details for follow-up.
“I am bothered because I think that maybe the responses need to come a lot sooner because of so much that's happening,” he said.
He singled out Mugumya, a former aide to detained opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye, whose reported disappearance dates back to August 26, 2025.
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