The National Unity Platform (NUP) has condemned what it describes as the abduction of one of its key figures, Nyanzi Fred Ssentamu, by armed men in broad daylight.
The incident occurred at Kubbiri Roundabout in Kampala, with reports indicating that Ssentamu was taken away in a drone (a colloquial term for unmarked security vehicles used in forced disappearances).
The party’s president, Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, took to social media to announce the incident, decrying what he termed as an ongoing crackdown on opposition figures by the Ugandan government.
“Our comrade and Head of Mobilization for NUP, Comrade Nyanzi Fred Ssentamu, has been abducted by heavily armed men and taken away in a drone to an unknown destination! He has been abducted at gunpoint from Kubbiri Roundabout. The criminal regime is on a rampage, BUT WE ARE NOT INTIMIDATED,” Bobi Wine stated.
The abduction of Nyanzi Fred Ssentamu adds to a growing list of opposition figures and supporters who have reportedly been taken into custody under unclear circumstances.
NUP leaders and human rights activists have frequently accused President Yoweri Museveni’s government of orchestrating enforced disappearances, unlawful arrests, and torture of political dissidents.
A Pattern of Abductions?
This latest incident is reminiscent of previous cases where opposition leaders and activists have been picked up by unidentified individuals, only to be detained in unknown locations for extended periods without access to legal representation or their families. Some who have resurfaced have spoken of mistreatment and torture at the hands of security operatives. Others remain missing.
The government, however, has often denied involvement in such abductions, insisting that all arrests are conducted lawfully. Security agencies have previously claimed that certain individuals taken into custody are under investigation for crimes such as inciting violence or plotting against the state.
NUP Demands Immediate Release
NUP leaders and supporters are demanding the immediate release of Ssentamu and an end to what they describe as politically motivated persecution.
The opposition party has vowed to continue fighting for democracy despite the increasing arrests and intimidation of its members.
International Concern
The abduction of opposition figures in Uganda has drawn international criticism, with human rights organizations, foreign governments, and the United Nations expressing concern over shrinking political space and the suppression of dissent.
Activists are calling upon the international community to exert pressure on the Ugandan government to ensure that all citizens’ rights are respected, including the right to political association and free expression.
What Happens Next?
With Ssentamu’s whereabouts currently unknown, NUP supporters are mobilizing protests and social media campaigns to demand his release. Legal experts argue that such abductions are a violation of constitutional rights and call for accountability from the authorities.
As tensions rise between the opposition and the government, many are watching closely to see whether the authorities will respond to the growing pressure to release Ssentamu and address the allegations of politically motivated arrests.
For now, the fate of Nyanzi Fred Ssentamu remains uncertain, and the opposition remains defiant in the face of what they describe as state-sponsored intimidation.
