The National Unity Platform (NUP) and the Ugandan government are entangled in a legal dispute. NUP claims that the government has taken 18 of its members and is insisting on their return through a lawsuit filed at the High Court in Kampala.
But the government, represented by the Attorney General, strongly disagrees with these accusations. They have provided four sworn statements (affidavits) denying any knowledge of the missing individuals. This contradicts what some government officials had previously said, leading to confusion.
Lawyer George Musisi, who represents the families of the missing persons, points out these inconsistencies. He mentions how a government minister once listed some of the missing people in Parliament. Additionally, a police spokesperson acknowledged detaining one individual, John Bosco Kibalama, whom the government now claims not to know.
“In 2021, the then Minister of Internal Affairs Gen. Jeje Odongo displayed a list of some of the missing persons on the floor of parliament. As if that’s not enough, the Kampala Metropolitan Spokesperson Patrick Onyango also once admitted police having Ddamulira in custody,” said lawyer George Musisi.
The situation has become more complex as the Attorney General must provide additional evidence supporting their denials by April 24th, 2023. This case is expected to evolve as the court evaluates the evidence presented by both parties.
In a related development The National Unity Platform (NUP) has confronted the Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Mr. Balam Barugahara, regarding the alleged disappearance of 18 individuals associated with the party. NUP asserts that the new minister cannot do anything about these people.
The party’s stance reflects their frustration with what they perceive as governmental negligence or even involvement in the disappearances. This sentiment is echoed by many commentators, who have expressed concern over the lack of accountability regarding the missing individuals and the plight of their families or loved ones.
Meanwhile, the government has maintained its position of denial, asserting that it has no knowledge or involvement in the disappearance of the 18 individuals linked to NUP. This denial adds fuel to the ongoing dispute and contributes to the growing tensions between the government and the opposition party.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case of the missing persons continues to attract attention and scrutiny from the public and the media alike. The outcome of this legal battle will likely have significant political implications for both NUP and the Ugandan government, shaping perceptions of accountability and transparency in the country for years to come.
