Ofwono Opondo Denounces Drone Arrests as Ssenyonyi Pressures Government Over Missing Persons

Parliament witnessed a rare moment of candid internal critique this week as Member of Parliament for Older Persons in the Eastern Region, Ofwono Opondo, publicly condemned the arrest of citizens using unmarked vehicles, commonly known as drones, and the subsequent torture they face in detention.

Speaking during a parliamentary sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, Opondo challenged the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) administration to root out impunity within its security apparatus. He asserted that the ruling party should never preside over human rights abuses or allow security organs to operate outside the framework of the law.

The debate gained momentum when Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi pressed the government over unfulfilled promises to present a comprehensive statement regarding missing persons. Ssenyonyi highlighted several concerning cases, including opposition activist Sam Mugumya and Baba TV journalist Eria Jengo, whose whereabouts remain unknown while the state stays silent.

Adding weight to the opposition’s concerns, Opondo detailed the ordeal of activist Praise Aloikin. He noted that Aloikin was initially arrested by police before being transferred to officers from the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, forced into a drone, and subjected to torture while en route to a detention facility.

In response to the mounting pressure from both sides of the House, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa informed legislators that the Minister of Internal Affairs, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, had requested additional time. The minister stated that a comprehensive report requires input from the National Security Council prior to its formal presentation to Parliament.

For more details on this developing story, read the original report on Nile Post.