The Civil Division of the High Court in Kampala has ordered security agencies to produce missing National Unity Platform (NUP) artist, and a civilian bodyguard of party President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine, King Zale, real name is Christopher Gody, after finding sufficient grounds to believe he may be in state custody following his alleged abduction on April 21st in Kampala.
Hon. Lady Justice Joyce Kavuma, in a ruling dated May 29th, ordered six government entities including the Attorney General, Special Forces Command (SFC), Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Uganda Police Force, Internal Security Organisation (ISO) and Defence Intelligence and Security, to produce King Zale before the High Court on June 5, 2026.
According to court documents, King Zale was abducted by six armed men on 21st April, 2026 at about 8:30 p.m., near the Firebase offices at Kamwokya.
“That the applicant was taken in a Toyota Hiace “Drone”, and has since been held incommunicado” he said.
The applicant told court that subsequent efforts to locate him at Wandegeya, Kawempe and Kira Road police stations were unsuccessful and that he had neither been charged before any court nor released.
However in response, the Police through Detective Corporal Obed Nankunda, rejected the application stating that key facts in the support of the application where based on hearsay from a one Hussein Mukisa who personally didn’t have a sworn affidavit.
Police further alleged that it had carried out inquiries and investigations through relevant police systems and channels and found no evidence to indicate Gody Christopher alias King Zale was in any of their facilities.
However, Justice Joyce Kavuma rejected the objection, noting that the applicant had been able to convince court that King Zale was being held by the security agencies, which continued detention by the security agents is unjustified.
Justice Kavuma further noted that, there was no evidence that the applicant is held under any lawful means or that he has been charged with any offence, before any courts of law.
“Accordingly, an order of a writ of habeas corpus ad subjiciendum is hereby issued directing the respondents to produce the applicant Gody Christopher alias King Zale before the High Court of Uganda at Kampala (Civil Division) on 05/06/2026 at 11:00 am” Justice kavuma ordered.
