UPDF Denies Holding Missing Activist Sam Mugumya

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has told the High Court in Kampala that it is not holding opposition activist Sam Mugumya, who has been reported missing under unclear circumstances.

In a sworn affidavit filed in the Civil Division of the High Court on Friday, Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Musasizi, the Director of Civil Affairs at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, said an extensive internal search had been carried out but no record of Mugumya’s detention was found.

“I do satisfy and return that Sam Mugumya has not at any material time been in the custody of the respondents in this matter,” Musasizi stated.

The affidavit was filed in response to a writ of habeas corpus sought by Mugumya’s legal team, which had asked court to compel security agencies to produce him.