KAMPALA, Uganda — Concern is mounting over the whereabouts of Ugandan photojournalist and National Unity Platform (NUP) activist Andrew Natumanya, popularly known as Tabz, following reports that he was allegedly seized by unidentified security operatives in Kampala on Wednesday afternoon.
According to opposition leaders, Natumanya was taken from the Kamwokya area by men traveling in what they described as a “drone” vehicle, a term commonly used in Uganda to refer to unmarked vans that have frequently been linked to security operations.
Natumanya is widely known for documenting opposition political activities and using his photography platforms to highlight alleged corruption and governance concerns involving senior government officials.
The National Unity Platform’s Secretary General, David Lewis Rubongoya, and Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi were among the first to raise the alarm over his disappearance, demanding that authorities account for his whereabouts and ensure his safety.
Family members and legal representatives say they have been unable to access or locate Natumanya since the incident. As of Thursday, no formal charges had been announced against him, fueling fears among supporters and human rights advocates.
The reported disappearance comes amid growing concerns over what opposition figures describe as a pattern of arrests and detentions targeting government critics. The incident follows recent allegations surrounding the arrest and detention of prominent opposition lawyer Erias Lukwago, which sparked public debate over civil liberties and political freedoms.
Adding his voice to the calls for Natumanya’s release, NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, condemned the alleged detention in a statement posted on social media.
“You can abduct and torture Andrew Natumanya, but you cannot break his resolve. This does not show the strength of the regime; it only exposes how weak and decadent it is. We stand with you, my brother,” Bobi Wine wrote.
He further called for the release of Natumanya and other political detainees, using the hashtags #FreeTabz and #FreeAllPoliticalPrisonersInUganda.
You can abduct and torture @NinyeTabz but you cannot break his resolve.
This does not show the strength of the regime, it only exposes how weak and decadent it is.
We stand with you my brother.
Just like the Amin regime, one day all this will be history.#FreeTabz… pic.twitter.com/IBdQQxi9jj— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) June 18, 2026
By press time, security agencies had not issued an official statement regarding Natumanya’s whereabouts or the circumstances surrounding his alleged detention.
Human rights activists and opposition supporters continue to demand transparency from authorities, urging the government to either present Natumanya before a court of law if he is in custody or facilitate his immediate release.
