Former Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura has disclosed details of a phone conversation she held with detained journalist Tim Kalyegira, shedding new light on the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and subsequent arrest.
Kalyegira, a veteran political analyst and government critic, was earlier this week remanded to prison after being arraigned in court on charges related to operating online media platforms without a licence.
His court appearance followed days of uncertainty after he went missing last week, raising concern among family, colleagues, and residents.
In a statement, Nyanjura said Kalyegira contacted her on the morning following his disappearance, offering a rare account of his alleged ordeal.
“I was so relieved seeing his call because I had last heard from him on Wednesday,” she said, recounting the conversation.
According to Nyanjura, Kalyegira confirmed that he had been abducted and held in an undisclosed location before being transferred.
“He told me he had been taken to a basement but was now at a police station in some office,” she said.
When asked about his location, Kalyegira reportedly said he did not know the name of the station. Based on his description of the route taken, Nyanjura concluded that he was being held at Kira Division Police Station.
Nyanjura said she initially planned to go to the station but was cautioned by Kalyegira against doing so.
“He told me it was not safe and asked me not to make noise, saying it could make things worse for him,” she added.
Despite the caution, Nyanjura said she quietly contacted colleagues and legal representatives, who later went to Kira Police Station in search of Kalyegira.
However, they were reportedly informed that he was not in custody at the facility at the time.
Hours later, Kalyegira resurfaced in court, where he was formally charged and remanded.
Nyanjura criticized the charges, describing them as unjustified, and questioned the handling of the case.
Kalyegira faces allegations of operating online media platforms, including The Kampala Express and The Uganda Records, without a licence from the Uganda Communications Commission over several years.
His arrest has sparked wider debate over press freedom and the enforcement of communications laws in Uganda, particularly concerning digital publishers.