Fresh political tensions have emerged in Uganda following the reported abduction of Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, with senior opposition figures dismissing public criticism and defending his continued defiance against the state.
Kivumbi, a senior member of the National Unity Platform (NUP), was reportedly seized by unidentified security operatives shortly after his release on bail, sparking renewed concerns over the safety of opposition leaders.
Reacting to the development, NUP National Executive Committee member Namutyaba Sylvia issued a strongly worded statement, criticising sections of the public who questioned why Kivumbi remained politically active despite the risks.
“To those making noise about him… who says he wasn’t aware that he could be abducted again?” she said. “He even said back in Kitalya that abduction and torture is their only last line of defence.”
Sylvia dismissed such criticism as misguided, arguing that opposition leaders operate with full awareness of the dangers they face.
She maintained that continued resistance against the government is a deliberate choice, not an oversight.
“Anyone who stands against this regime already knows that. There’s no need to keep reminding people. Your comments are simply pointless and add no value,” she added.
Kivumbi’s alleged abduction came just hours after he secured bail following months in detention over terrorism-related charges linked to post-election unrest.
His sudden disappearance has reignited debate over the conduct of security agencies and the treatment of opposition figures.
The incident also underscores a broader pattern of arrests and alleged enforced disappearances reported by opposition groups, particularly in the aftermath of Uganda’s contested elections.