Uganda: Police Also Deny Having Sam Mugumya in Their Custody

15 September 2025
Nile Post (Kampala)
By Kenneth Kazibwe

Police have joined the military in washing their hands clean in circumstances surrounding the missing opposition activist, Sam Mugumya.

Responding to questions about the missing activist, police spokesperson, Kituuma Rusoke said as far as he is concerned, Mugumya is not in their custody.

"I am spokesperson of Uganda police force but I haven't got any briefing about the arrest of Sam Mugumya," Rusoke said.

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For over two weeks, Mugumya has been missing under unclear circumstances after being reportedly arrested by military operatives in Mbarara on August 26.

In a Habeas Corpus application before the civil division of the High Court in Kampala this month, Mugumya's lawyer, Tumusiime Kakuru said Mugumya was picked up by security operatives and has since been detained at a military facility in Mbuya, Kampala, under the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (formerly CMI).

However, last week, the military denied holding Mugumya in any of its facilities.

In a sworn affidavit in response to the habeas corpus application, 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.

He told court that they have combed through all records of detention facilities under the army's control, covering the period between August 26, 2025 to date.

"We have searched all relevant detention facilities' records and found no entry relating to the said Sam Mugumya," he noted, adding that inquiries were also made with officers under the command of both the Chief of Defence Forces and the Directorate of Defence Intelligence and Security.

"I therefore confirm that the said Sam Mugumya is not within our custody and we do not know about his whereabouts," Musasizi told the court.

Mugumya has previously been arrested and detained by security on in relation to his political activities.

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