(KAMPALA) – National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, has expressed deep concern over the abduction of Denis Ssenono, a Kawempe Division LC III Councillor. Ssenono, commonly known as “Denicity,” was reportedly abducted on the night of October 7, 2024, by armed individuals as he was leaving the NUP headquarters in Makerere-Kavule.
Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that Ssenono was forcefully taken by men carrying guns and bundled into a Toyota Hiace van, commonly referred to as a “drone.” The vehicle’s registration number was noted as UAK 387H. These vehicles have gained a notorious reputation in Uganda for being linked to several recent disappearances of political figures and activists, raising concerns over a pattern of politically motivated abductions.
The incident has sparked anxiety within the NUP and among Ssenono’s supporters, as the councillor is a well-known figure in his community. Bobi Wine took to social media on October 8, 2024, to condemn the act, calling for the immediate release of Ssenono. He emphasized that NUP’s legal and support teams are working tirelessly to gather more information on the abduction and to secure the councillor’s safe return.
Ssenono’s abduction is the latest in a series of similar incidents targeting NUP members and opposition figures across the country. Such disappearances have become more frequent, with victims often going missing for days or weeks before being found, sometimes in detention facilities, and other times with no formal charges filed against them.
The Ugandan government has previously denied any involvement in these abductions, though critics argue that the incidents point to an escalating campaign of intimidation against opposition members. Human rights organizations have also raised concerns, urging the government to investigate the disappearances and uphold citizens’ rights to due process and political participation.
The National Unity Platform is now calling for increased vigilance among its members and the general public, urging them to report any suspicious activities immediately. They have also called on international bodies to take note of the rising human rights violations in Uganda, asking for their intervention in safeguarding democratic processes.
Efforts to reach the authorities for comment on the incident have so far been unsuccessful. However, NUP officials are expected to address the media soon with more details regarding the abduction and their ongoing efforts to locate Ssenono.
