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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Missing Uganda opposition aide appears in video after a year

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • A video has surfaced showing Sam Mugumya, a former aide to Ugandan opposition politician Kizza Besigye, appearing visibly emaciated months after his disappearance.
  • Mugumya's family and activists allege state involvement in his abduction, with his mother expressing anger towards the government.
  • Activists and the Uganda Law Society are calling for Mugumya's release and for legal processes to be followed if he is suspected of a crime.

A video has emerged showing Sam Mugumya, a former aide to prominent Ugandan opposition politician Kizza Besigye, in an emaciated state months after his disappearance. Mugumya, who was also running as a candidate for Besigye's party, vanished in August 2025. The video, circulating on social media, shows him looking frail and seated next to a walker. His family and activists allege state involvement in his abduction.

I only saw video showing him destroyed and bony.

— Edinansi KatungwesiDescribing her son Sam Mugumya after seeing a video of him.

Mugumya's mother, Edinansi Katungwesi, confirmed his identity in the video, describing him as "destroyed and bony." She expressed deep anger towards the government, stating, "It is the government that took my son and I am so angry at them." She added, "The government is meant to protect us and has turned against us, and worse of all against my son."

It is the government that took my son and I am so angry at them.

— Edinansi KatungwesiExpressing her belief about who is responsible for her son's disappearance.

International observers have raised concerns about a growing crackdown on opposition figures and activists in Uganda. While AFP could not independently verify the video's origin or date, activist Agather Atuhaire believes it is Mugumya and described his situation as "appalling and shocking." She stated, "I think the military is responsible for his disappearance, detention incommunicado." Atuhaire expressed alarm at the increasing impunity in the country.

I think the military is responsible for his disappearance, detention incommunicado.

— Agather AtuhaireAn activist commenting on the suspected involvement of the military.

The Uganda Law Society has filed a petition seeking Mugumya's release. Vice-president Anthony Asiimwe emphasized, "If he’s being suspected of committing an offence, let him be produced in court and answer the charges." He stressed the need to prevent such lawlessness from continuing in Uganda. The country recently re-elected President Yoweri Museveni for a seventh term, amid warnings from activists and opposition politicians about a hostile environment for dissent.

If he’s being suspected of committing an offence, let him be produced in court and answer the charges.

— Anthony AsiimweVice-president of the Uganda Law Society, calling for legal due process.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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