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Concern and alarm continue to grow following the mysterious disappearance of Robert Lugya Kayingo, the President of the Uganda Federal Alliance (UFA), who vanished shortly after landing at Entebbe International Airport on Thursday, July 17.
Kayingo, who had been living in exile due to political persecution, was aboard a Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi when he arrived at Entebbe around midday. Moments after touching down, he sent a cryptic and distressing message to his family and close associates:
“I’ve been detained. No reason given.”
That was the last anyone heard from him. Within minutes, all his phone lines went off, and his online communication ceased entirely. Since then, his whereabouts remain unknown, and government authorities have remained tight-lipped, offering no comment on his status or possible detention.
A Chilling Pattern of Enforced Disappearances
The disappearance of Robert Kayingo has sparked a national outcry, particularly among political activists and human rights defenders, who view the incident as part of a broader and disturbing trend of enforced disappearances in Uganda targeting opposition figures, critics, and returning exiles.
Leaders of the Uganda Federal Alliance, a political party advocating for a federal governance structure in Uganda, have condemned the silence of the government and security agencies. In a statement released on Saturday, the party demanded immediate accountability:
“Robert Kayingo returned home in peace, only to vanish under unclear circumstances at the hands of unknown security operatives. This is a direct assault on human rights, democracy, and the dignity of every Ugandan,” the statement read.
Family members have expressed fear for his safety, noting that Kayingo had received multiple threats over the past year for his outspoken criticism of the current regime. His wife, speaking to reporters in Nairobi, said:
“We fear the worst. He told us he was detained — then nothing. No one knows where he is, and the silence from authorities is cruel and terrifying.”
International Concern and Calls for Action
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Chapter Four Uganda, have expressed grave concern over Kayingo’s disappearance. Nicholas Opiyo, a prominent human rights lawyer, called for an independent investigation:
“We are witnessing a systematic breakdown of the rule of law. People cannot just vanish at state-run airports. The government must be held accountable.”
The U.S. Embassy in Kampala and the European Union Delegation have both acknowledged receiving reports of the disappearance and urged Ugandan authorities to ensure transparency and respect for due process.
Fear Among the Opposition and Diaspora
Kayingo’s case adds to a long list of unresolved disappearances involving opposition leaders and activists. The National Unity Platform (NUP), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), and other political parties have called for a nationwide campaign to pressure the state into releasing information about missing persons.
In the Ugandan diaspora, fear is intensifying, especially among returnees who have fled political persecution in the past. Activist groups in Canada, the U.K., and the U.S. have begun mobilizing for protests outside Ugandan embassies.
“What happened to Robert can happen to any of us,” said Deogratius Male, a Ugandan journalist in exile. “This impunity must be exposed to the world.”
A Country Demanding Answers
As days pass without any trace of Robert Lugya Kayingo, many Ugandans are left with a chilling reminder of the dangers faced by political dissidents and returnees. With no official explanation and growing public pressure, the call for justice grows louder.
The government’s continued silence is raising serious questions about the safety of Ugandan citizens and the sanctity of constitutional rights. As the country watches and waits, the haunting question remains: Where is Robert Lugya Kayingo?
