In a report released by the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) on October 11, 2023, it was revealed that the Commission has decided to close 18 files related to missing National Unity Platform (NUP) party supporters. These individuals had been unaccounted for over the past 12 months.
UHRC Chairperson, Ms. Mariam Wangadya, disclosed that out of the 30 missing NUP supporters, the Commission was only able to locate 12. She stated that the decision to close the remaining 18 files was made due to a lack of cooperation from the provided next of kin and a lack of key identification details, such as national identification cards, which complicated the investigative process.
The NUP had originally brought the cases of 25 missing supporters to the attention of the UHRC. Between January and February, they added five more cases, bringing the total to 30. Ms. Wangadya noted that the NUP had not provided necessary identification information for the alleged missing individuals, making it difficult to establish their existence. Additionally, some of the reported torture victims turned out to be victims of road accidents, leading the Commission to question the credibility of the complaints.
According to the UHRC, 12 of the missing persons had been arrested on suspicion of committing various offenses and had either been released on police bond or court bail. Most of the missing NUP supporters were allegedly abducted before, during, and after the 2021 General Electoral process.
In response to the report, Mr. Lewis Rubongoya, the NUP secretary general, expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the focus of the Commission was to prove that the reported people were not missing. He maintained that all these individuals had been illegally detained for more than 48 hours when they were initially reported as missing and called for their release.
The police did not provide comments on the report at the time of press.
The list of missing NUP supporters includes:
- 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
- Mustafa Luwemba
- Hassan Mubiru
- Isma Ssesaazi
- Godfrey Kisembo
- George Kasumba
- Joseph Baguma
