UHRC Unable to Locate 18 Abducted NUP Supporters, Closes Case Files

Kampala, Uganda | THE BLACK EXAMINER | The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has officially concluded its investigation into the disappearance of 18 National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters who went missing during the 2021 presidential election campaigns.

In the aftermath of that period, numerous NUP supporters were reported missing, with some eventually being located in police custody or detention centers. Unfortunately, the UHRC has been unsuccessful in locating these specific 18 individuals, and the prospects of finding them have become increasingly unlikely.

During a press briefing focused on the commission’s findings regarding a complaint filed by NUP Secretary-General Mariam Wangadya, the Chairperson of the UHRC disclosed that they had successfully located 12 out of the 30 missing persons, but the whereabouts of the remaining 18 remain unknown.

Wangadya explained that most of the located individuals had been arrested by security agencies for various offenses, including vandalism and murder, and subsequently released on police bond. However, the commission did not track the outcomes of their cases.

She stated, “Our investigation revealed that most of these abductees were, at some point, apprehended by security forces for various offenses, such as vandalism of electricity transmission equipment and murder, and they were subsequently released on police bond. Regrettably, we did not monitor the resolution of their cases.”

Wangadya also noted that while many of the located individuals chose not to pursue further action regarding their cases, four of them requested the commission to investigate their claims of wrongful arrest and torture during their time in detention.

Among those located and currently residing within their communities are Ahumuza Patrick, Kavuma Jamshid, Kirumira Godfrey, Muleme Steven, Ntale Charles, Sonko Haruna Badru, Bayani Abdul, Khalid Sebi, Kabugo Alex, Ssebunya Yasin, Kagimu Fred, and Mubiru Sadat. Four of them, specifically Ntale Charles, Ahumuza Patrick, Sonko Haruna Badru, and Mubiru Sadat, have requested the commission’s intervention in their cases.

However, the UHRC has been unsuccessful in tracing the whereabouts of the following 18 individuals: Mbabazi Moses, Zzimula Dennis, Wangolo Shafick, Lukwago Martin, Kirya Peter, Ddamulira John, Ssemuddu Micheal, Kanatta Muhammad, Kibalama John Bosco, Nalumoso Vincent, Ssempijja Yuda, Musisi Mboowa, Luwemba Mustafa, Mubiru Hassan, Ssesaazi Isma, Kisembo Godfrey, Kasumba George, and Baguma Joseph.

Wangadya explained that the commission made the decision to close these 18 case files due to the limited available information and the lack of cooperation from the designated next of kin of these individuals. She stated, “In cases where we receive minimal information about how and where these individuals were taken, there is a limit to how extensively we can conduct our investigation. Moreover, the next of kin provided little cooperation to our investigators.

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