Human rights lawyer and Uganda Law Society (ULS) President Isaac Ssemakadde has expressed sorrow over the death of Sarah Ddamulira, describing her passing as a painful reminder of the long-term suffering endured by families of individuals who went missing under disputed circumstances.
In a brief statement, Ssemakadde said Sarah Ddamulira died after five years of emotional distress linked to the disappearance of her husband, John Ddamulira, who was reportedly abducted by military operatives from his spare parts shop in Kisekka Market in November 2020.
The whereabouts of Ddamulira have remained unknown since the incident.
Ssemakadde said the deceased lived through years of unanswered questions and continued searching for her husband, a situation he described as emblematic of many Ugandan families affected by alleged enforced disappearances.
“Sarah Ddamulira has died after five years of suffering while searching for her husband, John Ddamulira, who was abducted by military operatives,” Ssemakadde stated.
“Her pain is a painful reminder of what many families are going through after their breadwinners have been taken away. May her soul rest in peace.”
He added that the emotional toll on families goes beyond individual loss, affecting entire households that are left without financial support, closure, or official explanations regarding the fate of their relatives.
Human rights advocates have for years raised concerns over cases of alleged abductions and enforced disappearances, calling for independent investigations and accountability mechanisms.
Authorities have previously denied involvement in unlawful detentions, maintaining that any security operations are conducted within the law and subject to established procedures.
The latest remarks from the ULS leadership add to growing public debate surrounding unresolved disappearance cases, particularly those involving individuals linked to political activity or urban commercial centres.
The death of Sarah Ddamulira has also drawn renewed attention to similar cases, including that of Monica Nabukenya, whose husband Kibalama Johnbosco was allegedly abducted in 2019 and remains missing. Nabukenya herself died in November 2025 after years of searching for answers.
Opposition leader Bobi Wine, who earlier mourned Ddamulira’s death, linked her suffering to what he described as a wider pattern affecting families of the disappeared, urging national reflection on the issue.