Amnesty International Condemns Disappearance of Ugandan Human Rights Defender Praise Aloikin

KAMPALA, UGANDA — Global rights organization Amnesty International has issued a strong condemnation following the enforced disappearance and subsequent detention of prominent Ugandan human rights defender Praise Aloikin Opoloje.

Aloikin was forcibly disappeared on September 26 after responding to a police summons at Namungoona Police Station regarding a civil dispute over ownership of a carpet collected from a dry cleaner.

Abduction by Security Operatives

According to statements released by Amnesty Eastern Africa, upon her arrival at the police station, Aloikin was informed that the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) was seeking her over allegations of insulting Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

She was subsequently forced into an unmarked vehicle by armed individuals believed to be state security agents. Her whereabouts remained completely unknown to family and legal counsel until September 28.

Police Acknowledge Custody Amid Charges

On September 28, a spokesperson for the Uganda Police Force acknowledged that Aloikin was in police custody. Authorities stated she would face charges related to the misuse of her social media platforms and was charged with using a SIM card registered under another person’s name.

Amnesty International maintains that Aloikin is being targeted solely for exercising her constitutional rights to freedom of expression on public interest issues across digital platforms.

Demands for Release and Accountability

Rights advocates have urged Ugandan authorities to drop all charges against Aloikin immediately and release her without condition.

Amnesty International outlined critical demands pending her release:

• Immediate Access: Authorities must ensure prompt access to her family, legal representation, and any necessary medical care.

• Protection: Guarantees must be established to safeguard her from torture and other ill-treatment while in custody.

• Independent Investigation: Ugandan agencies must conduct a prompt, independent, and effective investigation into her enforced disappearance between Saturday and Monday to hold responsible parties accountable.

Amnesty emphasized that Aloikin’s disappearance reflects a disturbing pattern of arbitrary arrests, abductions, enforced disappearances, and physical mistreatment targeting human rights defenders and political critics in Uganda.