Human rights lawyer Godwin Toko has sparked renewed debate over alleged abductions in Uganda after issuing a sharp social media statement questioning public indifference and selective concern for victims.
In his remarks, Toko suggested a moral contradiction in society, implying that those accused of carrying out abductions continue with normal religious and family routines while victims and their families remain in distress.
“I guess the people who abducted Ninye Tabz, Eddie Mutwe, Makokha Mugeni, Lukwago & others are still at church, or returning now, probably driving home as they hum hymns from church,” Toko wrote.
He further questioned the silence of some families and members of the public, arguing that empathy is often inconsistently applied depending on who is affected.
“We humans are very strange beings, actually!” he added.
The remarks come amid continued concern in Uganda over a series of reported enforced disappearances involving political activists, opposition-linked figures, and civilians accused in unclear circumstances.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly called for transparent investigations and accountability.
Among those referenced, Eddie Mutwe is widely known as a personal bodyguard linked to opposition political activities, with previous reports indicating he has faced arrests and alleged detention under unclear conditions.
His case has often been cited by activists as part of a broader pattern of targeted intimidation.
Erias Lukwago, the Kampala Lord Mayor, has also been a prominent figure in Uganda’s opposition politics and legal activism, frequently speaking out on governance and civil liberties issues.
While he has not been officially confirmed as abducted, his name is often mentioned in discussions about political pressure and state-civil society tensions.
Makokha Mugeni and Ninye Tabz are among individuals whose reported disappearances have circulated in activist and online advocacy spaces, though official confirmation of their circumstances remains limited.
Toko’s statement has reignited online debate, with critics and supporters divided over the role of public silence, religious communities, and state accountability in addressing alleged abductions.
The Ugandan government has in past instances denied involvement in enforced disappearances, maintaining that security operations are conducted within the law.