The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has released a report on the status of individuals the National Unity Platform (NUP) political party claimed were missing. The UHRC stated that out of the 30 people reported missing by NUP, 12 had been arrested on suspicion of various offenses and were either released on police bond or court bail.
UHRC Chairperson Mariam Wangadya presented the findings on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, revealing that the NUP had provided false information regarding the missing persons and individuals allegedly tortured by security agencies.
The controversy emerged when NUP’s Secretary-General, David Lewis Rubongoya, sent a list of 30 names of alleged missing individuals to the UHRC. Wangadya explained that during the investigation, it was found that some of those reported missing had changed their narratives or failed to provide sufficient evidence to support their allegations.
According to Wangadya, some individuals initially reported as torture victims were later determined to have been involved in road accidents. This discovery has led the UHRC to question the credibility of the complainants.
Wangadya further mentioned that NUP had not provided National Identity card numbers for a majority of the alleged missing individuals, making it challenging for the UHRC to verify their existence.
However, the report acknowledged that 18 individuals remain unaccounted for. The UHRC listed their names, which included Moses Mbabazi (Kawenja), Dennis Zzimula, Shafik Wangolo, Martin Lukwago, Peter Kirya, John Ddamulira, Micheal Ssemudu, Muhammad Kanata, John Bosco Kibalama, Vincent Nalumonso, Patrick Yuda Ssempija, Mbowa Musisi, Mustafa Luwemba, Hassan Mubiru, Isma Ssesazi, Godfery Kisembo, George Kasumba, and Joseph Baguma.