COURT (UGNEWSLINE) – The government has been given three-week deadline to establish the whereabouts of opposition activist Sam Mugumya, with a High Court judge threatening to hold individual security officials accountable for continued failure to comply with judicial orders.
Justice Simon Peter Kinobe issued the warning after government lawyers failed to present an investigation report explaining the disappearance of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) activist and the circumstances surrounding videos showing a man believed to be Mugumya in a visibly weak condition.
The judge questioned why the authorities had not resolved the matter despite earlier court interventions, warning that he could summon responsible officers, including the Inspector General of Police (IGP), to answer for possible contempt of court.
The matter came up following a fresh application by Mugumya’s lawyers, Kato Tumusiime and Kakuru Tumusiime of Kiiza and Mugisha Advocates, seeking court intervention to compel authorities to account for their client.
State Attorneys Matthew Muhesi and Jackie Amusugut, representing the Attorney General, told court that the investigations were still pending.
Muhesi apologized for the delay and explained that requests for information had been sent to the police and the Ministry of Defence to facilitate investigations involving both the police and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
He presented correspondence from the Solicitor General to the IGP, a communication from the Ministry of Defence’s Permanent Secretary and a police letter referring the matter to the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID).
The lawyers asked for additional time, arguing that investigators needed to engage people who could provide information about Mugumya’s disappearance.
However, Kinobe was dissatisfied with the explanations, particularly what he considered an attempt to leave the responsibility to police while excluding the army.
He reminded the lawyers that his earlier directive required both security institutions to investigate and report their findings.
The judge also insisted that government identify the officers personally responsible for carrying out the instructions instead of hiding behind institutional names.
He warned that failure to obey court orders could attract consequences for individual office holders.
Although he allowed the requested three weeks, Kinobe made it clear that he expected a complete investigation report and would not tolerate another round of excuses.
He said the prolonged uncertainty surrounding Mugumya’s whereabouts raised serious questions about the protection of citizens and accountability within security agencies.
The case will return to court on November 30, 2026. Kinobe said he would personally attend to it despite being scheduled to go on leave.
Mugumya’s lawyers say their client was taken away by armed men in Mbarara on August 26, 2025. They allege that he was forced into a vehicle and driven to an unknown destination.
The lawyers suspect that he is being held at the Special Forces Command facility in Kasenyi, but the government and the security agencies named in the case have denied having him in their custody.
The dispute has previously been before the same court. On September 5, 2025, the High Court issued a writ directing authorities to produce Mugumya within seven days.
A further order issued on September 12 required the Attorney General and the IGP to investigate the alleged arrest and establish his whereabouts.
The court subsequently extended its inquiry to videos circulated online showing a person purported to be Mugumya appearing physically weak and having difficulty standing. Investigators were required to establish the location where the footage was recorded and identify those behind its recording and circulation.
In an earlier court appearance, Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Musasizi told court that the army had checked detention records and inspected facilities at Kasenyi Barracks but found no evidence that Mugumya was being held there.
Mugumya previously served as a personal assistant to former FDC president Dr Kizza Besigye and was among opposition activists who gained prominence during the 2011 Walk to Work protests.
He also served as Secretary General of the FDC Youth League and participated in the activities of Activists for Change, a pressure group that mobilised demonstrations against the rising cost of living and poor governance.
His political activities date back to his time at Makerere University, where he studied political science and became involved in opposition politics.
In 2014, Mugumya was arrested in the Democratic Republic of Congo over allegations of illegal entry and involvement in plans to overthrow the Ugandan government.
