Families Of Missing NUP supporters Seek Legal Intervention.

It’s alleged that the missing people were mysteriously arrested and detained by security agencies before, during, and after the 2021 national elections. From the time of their detention, no family member has set eye or had contact with any of the detainees.

The detained supporters include John Bosco Kibalama, John Damulira, Martin Lukwago, Kirya Peter, Shafik Wangolo, Mustafa Luwemba, Denis Zimula, Isma Sessazi, Muhammad Kanatta, Moses Mbabazi, Micheal Semuddu, Geoffrey Kisebo, Hassan Mubiru, Alphat Mugumya, Vincent Nalumoso, Yuda Sempijja, Musisi Mbowa, and George Kasumba.

The petition was presented before High Court in Kampala by 12 spouses and relatives of the victims who were represented by PACE Advocates.

The relatives are Winfred Katana, Gilivazio Walusimbi, Monica Catherine Nabukeera, Julius Kato, Jessica Nabagala, Khadija Bazibu, Prossy Nassuna, Mary Namuyanda, Justine Nakato, Matthew Kafeero, Maria Christen, and Christine Nakimbugwe.

From the the High Court, Judge Esta Nambayo has set a date April 8 for the hearing of the petition in which the families want court to declare the alleged arrested and detention of their people illegal.

It is said that the missing people were unlawfully arrested and detained but have never been presented before any court nor been charged with any offence. Efforts to gain access to the missing people have all been in vain as they were always tossed by security organs.

For the case of John Bosco Kibalama, Catherine Nabukeera in a sworn affidavit said that her husband had been abducted and disappeared on June 3 2019. Police found his car abandoned on Kampala – Gayaza road near Ssekanyonyi Police station. 

She instantly opened a file under reference number SD 02-04-06-2019 but had never received any information concerning the investigation not until April 2022 when the Minister for Internal Affairs Jeje Odongo named Kibalama among the people who were being tried in the army court.

She narrates that a search was done at CMI Mbuya where she was referred to Special Investigations Unit in Kireka where another case file was opened but no feedback until now.

High Court is however yet to summon the Attorney General to file a defense against such complaints since no security organ has accounted for the 18 missing people.