Parliament:
The Leader of Opposition (LOP), Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, has called on the government to account for the disappearance of several members of the National Unity Platform (NUP).
During the plenary session chaired by Speaker Anita Among on Thursday, 20 February 2025, Ssenyonyi alleged that multiple NUP members had been kidnapped by unknown individuals in Kampala and Mpigi districts.
“As we are still grappling with the detention of Dr. Kizza Besigye and other political prisoners, kidnappings have resumed. Seven of our party leaders have been abducted,” Ssenyonyi stated.
He went on to name the missing individuals:
- Kinobe Rashid – abducted from Nansana, Wakiso District
- Kiyimba Sharif – abducted from Mini-Price in Kampala
- Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu – NUP head of mobilization, abducted from Wandegeya
- Mercy Walukanga – Head of NUP Election Management Committee
- Alex Rovan Rwanyanga – member of NUP Election Management Committee, abducted from Mpigi
- Ruhuma Jumah – member of NUP Election Management Committee
- Kayabula Eddie – member of NUP Election Management Committee, abducted from Mpigi
Ssenyonyi added that NUP lawyers and the families of the missing persons had reported the disappearances to police stations in the respective areas. However, the Uganda Police Force issued a statement on its verified social media account denying involvement in the arrests.
“If the government is not responsible, then we may be dealing with a rebel group operating in the city,” Ssenyonyi suggested.
In response, Speaker Among instructed the government to present a statement on the status of the missing NUP members by Tuesday next week. She directed the Deputy Attorney General, Hon. Jackson Kafuuzi, to ensure the matter is addressed promptly.
“Government, can I have accountability of these missing people and a report here on Tuesday next week?” Among asked, to which Kafuuzi affirmed.
Government Withdraws UPDF Amendment Bill
During the same plenary, the Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua, withdrew the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (Amendment) Bill, 2024, on behalf of the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs. The move followed a recent Supreme Court ruling barring the military court from trying civilians.
The Bill aimed to amend the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Act to revise the composition of Defence Forces structures and streamline veteran affairs management. However, Obua stated that the government would enrich the Bill to align it with the Supreme Court’s directive.
The court had called for amendments concerning the qualifications and appointment of the court martial chairperson, the legal definition of civilians versus military personnel, and remedies for those dissatisfied with court martial rulings.
