A fresh political debate has emerged in Parliament after National Resistance Movement (NRM) legislator Ofwono Opondo joined Opposition Leader Joel Ssenyonyi in demanding answers from the government over reports of missing Ugandans, alleged abductions and unlawful detention. The intervention has intensified pressure on the government to explain the whereabouts of people whose cases have been raised by lawmakers and clarify what security agencies are doing to address the concerns.
Opondo’s position has attracted attention because he belongs to the ruling NRM, whose government has faced repeated questions over allegations of human rights violations involving security agencies. By joining calls for accountability, the legislator challenged the perception that questioning the conduct of security operatives amounts to disloyalty to the ruling party. He argued that allegations of unlawful detention and mistreatment should be addressed by the relevant authorities rather than left unresolved.
One of the cases highlighted during the parliamentary debate involved human rights activist Praise Aloikin Opoloje, whose reported disappearance raised fresh concerns among legislators. According to an account presented to Parliament, Opoloje was allegedly lured to a police station and taken away about three weeks earlier by individuals who identified themselves as members of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI). The individuals were reportedly travelling in a vehicle commonly referred to as a “drone,” a term often used in Uganda to describe vehicles associated with security operations.
The account presented to Parliament further alleged that Opoloje was assaulted after being taken away, prompting questions about her whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding her reported detention. Opondo called on the responsible authorities to explain what happened and provide clarity on the allegations. The claims, however, require official clarification and independent verification, particularly regarding the identities of those involved, the circumstances of the reported incident and Opoloje’s subsequent treatment.
Opondo also called for ministers responsible for Internal Affairs and Defence, alongside the Attorney General, to address the concerns raised by legislators. The demand places pressure on the government to explain whether the reported incidents were investigated, whether the affected individuals were formally detained and what measures are being taken to establish the whereabouts of those reported missing. Lawmakers have argued that timely explanations are necessary to address public anxiety and ensure that security operations comply with the law.
Ssenyonyi reinforced the calls for accountability, insisting that Ugandans reported missing must be accounted for and that anyone held in custody should be brought before a court of law in accordance with established legal procedures. The Leader of the Opposition has repeatedly raised concerns in Parliament and presented names of individuals whose families are seeking information about their loved ones. He also warned against dismissing NRM members who question alleged human rights violations as disloyal, arguing that demanding answers should not be treated as an attack on the ruling party.
The debate has been further complicated by delays in the presentation of an official report on alleged abductions and detentions. Parliament had previously given the Executive approximately two weeks to provide information about people reportedly taken away or held without being produced in court, but the report had not been presented by Thursday’s sitting. Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa expressed reservations about imposing a firm deadline on the National Security Council, while Ssenyonyi criticised the delay and pressed for a substantive response from the government.
With voices from both the ruling party and the opposition demanding explanations, the controversy has become a significant test of the government’s commitment to accountability and the protection of citizens’ rights. The allegations surrounding Opoloje’s reported detention and treatment, alongside concerns about other missing Ugandans, have placed security agencies under renewed public scrutiny. For families searching for missing relatives, the central demand remains straightforward: the government should establish the whereabouts of those reported missing, clarify the circumstances of their disappearance and ensure that anyone detained is treated lawfully. Whether the responsible authorities will provide the answers demanded in Parliament remains a key question.
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