Human Rights
WHERE IS HE? The Unresolved Mystery of NUP’S Martin Lukwago’s Abduction
On November 23, 2020, Martin Lukwago, a 32-year-old father of three and a passionate local mobilizer for the National Unity Platform (NUP), was abducted in broad daylight from Bugolobi Market. Eyewitnesses recount how Lukwago was approached by armed men dressed in plain clothes, forcibly bundled into a notorious “drone” vehicle, and driven away. To this day, his whereabouts remain unknown, leaving his family and community in anguish and demanding answers.
Lukwago’s abduction is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of enforced disappearances and human rights violations targeting opposition supporters under the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) regime. Reports from multiple human rights organizations highlight how government operatives have used abductions, arbitrary arrests, and torture as tools to silence dissenting voices.
Lukwago’s three young children have been left to grapple with the absence of their father, a man who was once their provider and source of strength. His wife, speaking through tears, recounts the harrowing ordeal of trying to locate him. “We searched every police station and detention center we could think of, but no one would give us answers,” she said.
Despite numerous appeals to authorities, including petitions to the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), no substantial progress has been made in locating him. The silence from government agencies only deepens the family’s despair and raises questions about state complicity in his disappearance.
The use of drones—unmarked white vans associated with forced disappearances—has become a feared symbol in Uganda. These vehicles have been repeatedly linked to abductions of opposition supporters, journalists, and activists. In Lukwago’s case, witnesses identified the vehicle as one of those notorious for such operations, yet no official investigation has been launched.
The NUP has documented over 600 cases of abductions since the lead-up to the contentious 2021 elections. Party president Robert Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobi Wine, has frequently decried these violations, labeling them as acts of terror by a regime desperate to cling to power.
Lukwago’s disappearance is emblematic of a deeper human rights crisis in Uganda. Arbitrary detentions, torture, and enforced disappearances have become widespread, particularly targeting those aligned with opposition parties. The government’s actions have drawn condemnation from international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, which have called for accountability and an end to impunity.
The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), tasked with safeguarding citizens’ rights, has been criticized for its failure to address cases like Lukwago’s. Families seeking justice have accused the commission of delays and inaction, further eroding public trust in its mandate.
Demanding Justice
The NUP and Lukwago’s family continue to call for an independent investigation into his disappearance. “We want answers,” said a local NUP leader. “The government must account for Martin Lukwago and every other Ugandan who has disappeared at the hands of its operatives.”
This demand for accountability is not just about Lukwago but also about the hundreds of other families living in fear and uncertainty. The question, “Where is he?” resonates across Uganda, highlighting the urgent need for transparency, justice, and respect for human rights.
Human rights defenders argue that addressing these violations requires more than rhetoric. They are calling for:
- An independent commission to investigate cases of enforced disappearances.
- Sanctions against officials implicated in human rights violations.
- Stronger international pressure to hold the Ugandan government accountable.
Until these steps are taken, the plight of families like Lukwago’s will remain a haunting reminder of the human cost of political repression in Uganda.
Martin Lukwago’s children still ask, “Where is our father?” The world must not ignore their plea.
