Concerns over enforced disappearances and due process have resurfaced following the sudden reappearance of former Butambala County MP Muwanga Kivumbi under unclear circumstances.
Kivumbi, who had been missing for nearly three weeks, reportedly resurfaced at Nateete Police Station in Kampala, triggering fresh questions about his detention and treatment while incommunicado.
His disappearance had earlier prompted legal action, including a habeas corpus application by his lawyers seeking to compel security agencies to produce him in court.
Reacting to the development, Uganda Law Society (ULS) President Isaac Ssemakadde described the reports surrounding Kivumbi’s reappearance as “deeply disturbing,” warning that the incident raises serious constitutional and human rights concerns.
“I have taken judicial notice of the disturbing reports circulating regarding the alleged dumping of Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi at Nateete Police Station,” Ssemakadde said in a statement.
He noted that while details remain unclear, the circumstances under which Kivumbi was returned point to possible violations of due process.
“Every Ugandan, regardless of status, is entitled to fair treatment under the law. Extrajudicial ‘dumping’ is not procedure; it is a violation,” he stated.
Ssemakadde further questioned the role of law enforcement, calling for immediate accountability from the police regarding Kivumbi’s status prior to his appearance at the station.
“Nateete Police Station must issue an immediate public explanation. Was he arrested? Detained? Released? Or simply abandoned like cargo?” he posed.
The ULS president also raised concerns about the dignity of citizens in the face of such incidents, emphasizing that state institutions have a duty to protect, not degrade, individuals.
“No citizen should be treated as a disposable object. The State exists to serve people, not to humiliate them,” he added.
He called on the Inspector General of Police to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident and urged the Uganda Human Rights Commission to launch prompt investigations.
Kivumbi’s reappearance comes after both police and the military denied knowledge of his whereabouts in court, further intensifying scrutiny over the conduct of security agencies.
Ssemakadde urged the public to remain calm but vigilant, stressing that constitutional protections must be upheld.
“Our Constitution is not dead paper—it is a living promise,” he said.