Attorney General Submits Additional Evidence on Missing NUP Supporters, Denies Government Custody

The Attorney General of Uganda has submitted additional evidence to the High Court in Kampala, asserting that the government and security agencies are not responsible for the disappearance of 18 National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters. On Wednesday, the Attorney General filed two more affidavits to supplement four earlier submissions, contesting claims that the government should be held accountable for the whereabouts of these individuals.

The missing persons include John Bosco Kibalama, John Damulira, Shafik Wangolo, Martin Lukwago, Michael Semudu, Musisi Mbowa, and others. Relatives of the missing individuals, in a case filed in January, argue that the government’s actions violate their human rights obligations, demanding compensation and punitive damages. They allege that security forces abducted their loved ones between 2019 and 2021.

On Wednesday, representatives from both parties, including NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya and Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, along with Attorney General representatives, appeared before Justice Esta Nambayo to confirm the submission of additional evidence. The government missed the April 15th deadline and submitted the evidence on May 1st.

In the new affidavits, the Attorney General claimed that multiple complaints from NUP about missing persons have been investigated by the police and other security agencies. Detective Superintendent of Police Samalie Eve, who leads the investigation, specifically addressed cases involving Damulira, Semudu, Kitya, and Luwemba.

Samalie indicated that Damulira had been arrested in 2020 for inciting violence and was later released on bail. After skipping bail, his whereabouts remain unknown. She disputed claims that Damulira was re-arrested by security operatives, stating that there is no evidence to support the claim.

Regarding Semudu, Samalie mentioned that a search in several police stations yielded no evidence of his arrest. The affidavits echoed similar sentiments for Kitya, Luwemba, Kisembo, and Kasumba, asserting that they are not in government custody and their whereabouts are unknown.

The government claims that investigations are ongoing but maintains that it cannot be held accountable for individuals not in its custody. In earlier affidavits, the Attorney General suggested that some of the missing persons might not even exist.

NUP lawyer George Musisi criticized the government’s affidavits, alleging bias and pointing out contradictions in their defense. Ssenyonyi emphasized that they will continue to seek justice for the missing persons through both political and legal channels.

The case has been adjourned to May 3rd for further directions.