Another Journalist Noman Tumuhimbise Abuducted By The Army

Lawyers and family members of human rights lawyer Norman Tumuhimbise and journalist Arnold Mukose have called on security agencies to release the two men unconditionally following their reported arrests and disappearance.

According to relatives and colleagues, Tumuhimbise was taken from his home by individuals believed to be security operatives. His disappearance came just days after Mukose was reportedly picked up shortly after appearing on a political talk show in Kampala. Lawyers say they have not been informed of any charges and have not been granted access to their clients.

Human rights activists say the incidents reflect a broader pattern of human rights violations in Uganda, including unlawful arrests, illegal detention, enforced disappearances, torture, and restrictions on freedom of speech, especially against journalists, activists, and opposition supporters.

Background on Norman Tumuhimbise
Norman Tumuhimbise is an activist, journalist, and literary writer from Uganda whose work has focused on political accountability and corruption. He has previously faced harassment and arrest in relation to his writings and activism.

In March 2022, Tumuhimbise was arrested while promoting his book The Liars and Accomplices, which discusses political corruption involving Uganda’s long-time president Yoweri Museveni. He was charged with “offensive communication” and later accused of “cyber-stalking” the president. He was released on bail after 11 days but continued to face charges.

Tumuhimbise had earlier been detained and reportedly tortured in 2015 following the release of his book Unsowing the Mustard Seed, which criticized the government and documented alleged abuses of power. His writings, including The Liars and Accomplices, are political exposés similar in style to investigative political books written by journalists such as Bob Woodward, but human rights observers say the environment in Uganda makes such work risky for local writers and journalists.

Human rights advocates argue that using laws such as “offensive communication” to arrest writers and journalists is a way to silence criticism. They warn that criminalizing criticism of political leaders undermines freedom of expression and weakens democracy.

Lawyers representing Tumuhimbise and Mukose say that if the two men committed any offence, they should be produced in court and formally charged, rather than being held incommunicado. Civil society organizations have also called for their immediate release or lawful prosecution.

By press time, there had been no official statement from security agencies regarding the whereabouts of Tumuhimbise and Mukose, raising further concern among human rights defenders and media organizations