The High Court has adjourned the hearing of a Habeas Corpus for missing political activist and former aide to jailed opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye’s, Sam Mugumya, who was abducted from Mbarara City by military personnel over a year ago.
The National Unity Platform’s (NUP) Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, while addressing journalists after the adjournment, expressed dismay at the UPDF swearing an affidavit denying holding Mugumya on Monday.
“We are here to stand in solidarity with our brother, Sir Mugumya, who has been missing for a period of over one year and 82 days now…… Recently, the CDF on his X confirmed that he’s holding him and even promised to execute him” he said.
He added, “Unfortunately, the UPDF again swore an affidavit saying we do not have him, they actually said that they have checked in every military facility and he’s not there. But these are the same people who have always, sworn such affidavits”.
Rubongoya noted that the military has in the past denied holding opposition leaders like Dr. Lina Zedriga, and Jolly Jacqueline Tukamushaba, before producing them in court.
“They have done it with every single individual who was abducted, who has been missing, and every time we go to court and file habeas corpus orders, these are the same things they do. They come to court and say that this person is not in the custody of the state, only for them to either bring this people to court or dump them somewhere” he said.
He added, “It’s also unfortunate that the court has given another two weeks to someone who has been missing for over a year……… But you all remember there was initially a habeas corpus order, the videos came out, everybody saw them. So, the best thing to do really is for the courts to be more serious on these matters and simply direct that these people are produced”.
The Monday adjournment comes weeks after the Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, confirmed holding Mugumya, through several posts on X.
“Yes, I have Sam Mugumya. He is fine. But I will execute him soon” he posted.
In a following post he added, “People are feeling sorry for Mugumya’s legs? I’m going to shoot him to death”.
Gen Muhoozi’s remarks followed leaked videos by Lt Herbert Matanda Mabonga, of an alleged torture centre in Abayita Ababiri, Katabi Town Council, in Wakiso district showing political prisoners under detention.
