The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) announced the closure of 18 missing National Unity Platform (NUP) party supporters’ cases. According to UHRC Chairperson Mariam Wangadya, the commission could not locate these individuals in the last 12 months.
Last year, NUP Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya had requested the UHRC to investigate the alleged abduction cases of 25 missing NUP supporters. Between January and February, five more names were added to the list, bringing the total to 30 missing individuals.
Ms. Wangadya noted that despite receiving the names and next of kin from the NUP secretariat, critical identification details such as national identification card numbers were not provided, making the investigation process more challenging.
The UHRC found that 12 of the reported missing individuals had been arrested on suspicion of various offenses and were either released on police bond or court bail.
The majority of the missing NUP supporters were allegedly abducted before, during, or after the 2021 General Electoral process.
In response, Lewis Rubongoya expressed his disagreement with the UHRC’s report, claiming that the commission was attempting to prove that the missing individuals were not truly missing. He emphasized that these individuals were detained illegally for more than 48 hours and demanded their release.
As of the time of reporting, the police had not commented on the UHRC’s findings, but Mariam Wangadya stated that all security agencies were involved in the investigations.
List of Missing NUP Supporters:
- Moses Mbabazi
- Dennis Zzimula
- Shafik Wangolo
- Martin Lukwago
- Peter Kirya
- John Ddamulira
- Michael Semuddu
- Muhammad Kanatta
- John Bosco Kibalama
- Vincent Nalumonso
- Yuda Sempijja
- Musisi Mbowa
- Musitafa Luwemba
- Hassan Mubiru
- Isma Ssesaazi
- Godfrey Kisembo
- George Kasumba
- Joseph Baguma
