Opposition leaders in Ankole task security over missing NUP coordinator
Mbarara NUP Chairperson, Mr Bright Muhumuza at an event with NUP leaders recently. Mr Muhumuza is reported missing after he was allegedly abducted on March 18, 2025. PHOTO/ JULIUS BYAMUKAMA
What you need to know:
- Since 2020 when Mr Kyagulanyi expressed interest to challenge Mr Museveni in the 2021 presidential polls, several of his supporters have been arrested or reported disappeared by security operatives.
A section of opposition leaders in Ankole sub-region has raised concern over the missing National Unity Platform (NUP) coordinator who allegedly disappeared on March 18, 2025.
People's Front for Freedom (PFF) and NUP leaders in the Western Uganda sub-region on Thursday asked security agencies in the area to ensure Mr Bright Muhumuza is found unharmed.
The NUP general secretary for Mbarara City, Mr Peter Mpaka told journalists in Mbarara City that Mr Muhumuza was waylaid and abducted by unknown persons at a hotel.
“We are so disturbed with the abduction and disappearance of our comrade, Bright Muhumuza who is our chairman for NUP in Mbarara City. He is also our coordinator for Ankole Sub-region. It is absurd for a person who is well known, a law-abiding citizen, a person who has businesses running in this city, a husband, a father and a person who pays taxes to the government to be waylaid and held incommunicado,” Mr Mpaka said.
Mr Mpaka suspects that Muhumuza was disappeared by security operatives over his political beliefs.
“We reported his disappearance to police and we were given a police reference number but up to now, he’s nowhere to be found. The government already knows about his disappearance,” he said.
The PFF chairperson in Mbarara City, Mr Robert Twesigye described Mr Muhumuza’s disappearance as an absurdity that used to be witnessed under the past regimes, especially in the 1980s when opposition leaders and supporters were targeted by regime operatives.
He wondered why the regime has criminalized supporting opposition leaders.
“Bright Muhumuza should be released unconditionally. Is it an offence to support Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, Dr Kizza Besigye or any other opposition leader, especially in Western Region? We call upon the NRM government, [CDF Gen] Muhoozi Kainerugaba, [President] Museveni to release Muhumuza. We are giving them 24 hours before we take further action,” he said.
Mbarara United Opposition (PFF and NUP) members address journalists about the missing NUP coordinator for Ankole Sub-region, Bright Muhumuza on March 20, 2025. PHOT BY JULIUS BYAMUKAMA
Mr Mumuza’s brother, Mr Simon Mwesigwa, said he received phone calls from three different people who witnessed the abduction informing him about the incident.
“They told me he was abducted at Calabash Hotel by two men in civilian wear who forced him into a waiting drone (Toyota Hiace van) and driven away to unknown destination. I followed up to police and the army barracks in Makenke but all in vain,” he said.
When contacted about Mr Muhumuza’s disappearance, Rwizi Regional Police Spokesperson, SP Samson Kasasira said they were still investigating and tracing his for his whereabouts.
“We have opened an inquiry into the matter because of what we saw on social media and when we get anything, I will inform you. For now, I really can’t comment about it,” SP Kasasira told this reporter on phone.
Mr Kyagulanyi said security operatives and the regime should release Mr Muhumuza and all the other political prisoners in detention.
“We have just been notified about the abduction, yesterday evening, of our comrade Bright Muhumuza from Mbarara City by heavily armed UPDF soldiers. Apparently, they found him at a restaurant, abducted him and drove him to an unknown location in a drone Reg. No. UAK 707G. The criminal regime is on the rampage, but we are not scared. We demand for the freedom of comrade Bright and all other political prisoners. Supporting the National Unity Platform is not a crime!” Mr Kyagulanyi posted on March 19, a day after the reappearance of one of his supporters, Mr Vianne Bashabe who had allegedly been detained the Chief of Military Intelligence (CMI) for 12 days.
Mr Kyagulanyi said Bashabe was abducted from Hoima on March 6, 2025.
“He just told us his deeply troubling tale of physical and psychological torture. The thugs have been beating him every day, especially under the feet, asking him how he, being from Western Uganda could support me and the NUP. He says he has been there together with comrades Hussein Mumbya and Shakur Ssentongo who were recently picked up. He says they have been badly tortured to an extent that one of them cannot stand on his own,” Mr Kyagulanyi posted on his X on March 18.
Since 2020 when Mr Kyagulanyi expressed interest to challenge Mr Museveni in the 2021 presidential polls, several of his supporters have been arrested or reported disappeared by security operatives.
Many resurfaced in the General Court Martial where they were charged and remanded on different offences, others were found abandoned on the roads or near their homes.
About 18 NUP supporters are still reported missing and their whereabouts are unknown years after their disappearance.
