Uganda Law Society to Seek UN Intervention for Missing Activist Sam Mugumya

The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has announced its intention to escalate efforts to locate missing opposition activist Sam Mugumya by engaging United Nations special procedures on enforced and involuntary disappearances.

This decision comes in the wake of unverified video clips surfacing online, which are alleged to depict individuals held in a military “basement.” One clip seemingly shows former MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, who has since been granted bail. Another clip has caused significant public concern, purportedly showing Mugumya, a former aide to Dr. Kizza Besigye, exhibiting severe difficulty walking.

The footage, showing a person in a yellow T-shirt and green trousers, has not been independently verified. Details regarding when, where, or by whom it was filmed remain unknown. Security agencies have yet to confirm or deny the authenticity of the footage or the location depicted.

The ULS stated in a recent release that despite diligent efforts by Mugumya’s lawyers, including habeas corpus applications, and inquiries in Parliament, his whereabouts and constitutional rights remain unaddressed. The Society views engaging the UN special procedures as a supplementary measure to enhance accountability and ensure Mugumya’s protection.

Mugumya, a member of the People’s Front for Freedom, was reportedly abducted on August 26, 2025. While his family alleges abduction by security operatives, security agencies have denied holding him. The ULS stressed that this international engagement is not intended to replace existing legal efforts but to bolster them with independent international scrutiny.

Sam Mugumya has been missing since August 2025, when he was allegedly taken by armed individuals. His family, including his mother Edinansi Katungwesi, has repeatedly appealed for his production in court or his release if unlawfully detained. The recent circulation of unverified footage has reignited concerns about his condition and location.

Source: Nile Post