The abduction and subsequent release of Charles Bukenya Muvawala, vice president of the Uganda North American Association (UNAA), has reignited concerns over human rights abuses in Uganda. Found abandoned in a swamp in Buliisa District, Muvawala bore visible signs of torture.
Muvawala was taken outside a nightspot in Kampala, an area increasingly associated with forced disappearances, sparking immediate outcry from opposition leaders and human rights activists.
The National Unity Platform (NUP) president, Robert Kyagulanyi, confirmed speaking with Muvawala after his release. He says Muvawala endured hours of torture before being dumped in the swamp, leaving him deeply traumatized. Images circulating online depict him in a frail condition.
Security agencies, particularly the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), have denied any involvement in the abduction. UPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Felix Kulayigye suggested the incident could be linked to personal or immigration-related issues. However, activists argue that such dismissals are a common tactic used to deflect responsibility from state agencies.
The abduction has heightened international scrutiny, with human rights organizations and global watchdogs calling for an independent investigation. The incident has fueled accusations that the Ugandan government is using enforced disappearances as a tool to silence dissent, exacerbating tensions between authorities and opposition leaders.
Members of UNAA and opposition supporters have condemned Muvawala’s treatment. Many have called for urgent reforms to address the worsening human rights situation, emphasizing the need for accountability and legal protections for political activists.
