The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, has called on the government to provide an explanation regarding the recent disappearances of members from the National Unity Platform (NUP).
He stated that numerous party members have reportedly been abducted by unidentified individuals in Kampala and Mpigi.
He alleged that while they continue to address the situation concerning Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye and other political detainees, the abduction of citizens has once again become a pressing issue.
“To date, we are aware of seven of our party leaders who have been kidnapped,” Ssenyonyi noted.
He was speaking during a plenary session led by Speaker Anita Among on February 20, 2025. His claims follow the recent alleged abduction of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party’s head of mobilization Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu.
Ssenyonyi said efforts by family members to report to different police stations seeking the whereabouts of their relatives have proved fruitless.
“Today, Uganda Police Force, on its verified social media account has put out a statement saying, they are not the ones who arrested these people. Can government then account? Because if it is not government, then it is probably some rebel outfit within town,” he said.
Speaker Among gave government up to Tuesday next week to present a statement on the alleged missing persons.
“Government, can I have accountability of these missing people and report here on Tuesday?” Among asked the Deputy Attorney General, Hon. Jackson Kafuuzi, who responded in affirmative.
Gov’t withdraws UPDF Bill
During the same sitting, the Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua, on behalf of the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, withdrew the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (Amendment) Bill, 2024, following the recent Supreme Court ruling which barred the Military Court from trying civilians.
The Bill intended to amend the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Act; streamline the composition of the organs and structures of the Defence Forces; and provide for the management of veteran affairs.
Obua said the withdrawal is to primarily allow government to enrich the Bill and make it compliant with the ruling of the Supreme Court.
Uganda’s highest court, in its directive called for specific amendments of the UPDF Act on the qualification and appointment of the chairperson of the court martial and legal definition of a civilian and military person, and available remedies for those who are not satisfied with the court martial decision.
