The Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, has declined to congratulate President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and newly elected Members of Parliament following the recent general elections, saying there are outstanding issues that must first be addressed.
Speaking in Parliament, Ssenyonyi said his decision should not upset those in government, noting that there are many others willing to offer congratulations.
“There are people who can congratulate you other than me,” Ssenyonyi said, adding that unresolved electoral and human rights concerns make it premature for him to do so.
The Opposition leader also vowed to continue demanding accountability from government over the alleged abduction and detention of senior leaders of the National Unity Platform (NUP), despite complaints from some MPs that he is “pestering” the state.
Ssenyonyi argued that Parliament remains one of the legitimate platforms through which he can question government about the whereabouts of opposition supporters and leaders reportedly abducted by security operatives.
“The floor of Parliament is one of the avenues available to us to task government on where our people are,” he said.
High Court Habeas Corpus Hearing
Meanwhile, NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya revealed that the party had gone to the High Court seeking a habeas corpus order for Dr. Lina Zedriga Waru Abuku, the party’s Deputy President for Northern Uganda, whose whereabouts remain unknown.
“We’re at the High Court for the habeas corpus hearing for our Deputy President,” Rubongoya said. “The state has filed an affidavit claiming they don’t have her in any detention centres, despite her having been picked up by security operatives on January 15 in the presence of witnesses.”
Rubongoya described the situation as a grave abuse of power, saying the events surrounding the election period would be studied for years to come.
Multiple NUP Leaders Missing or Detained
Dr. Lina Zedriga Waru Abuku was reportedly abducted from her home on January 15, while Jolly Jacklyn Tukamushaba, NUP’s Deputy President for Western Uganda, was reportedly picked up a day earlier from Rukiga District. As of publication, the whereabouts of both leaders remain unknown.
Another senior party official, Muwanga Kivumbi, NUP’s Deputy President for the Central Region, was arrested and taken to Kira Division Police before being produced in court and remanded to Kitalya Mini-Max Prison. He has been charged with terrorism, charges the party has described as politically motivated.
Rubongoya said Kivumbi remains resolute despite his detention.
“He is of strong spirit and encourages everyone to fight on, knowing that this is just a phase of the struggle,” Rubongoya said, adding that the party’s legal team, alongside other lawyers, is working to secure his release.
The developments come amid heightened political tension following the elections, with opposition leaders intensifying calls for accountability, transparency, and respect for human rights during the post-election period.
Government denials
David Muhoozi, Minister of State for Internal Affairs, has denied allegations that the residence of Robert Kyagulanyi, President of the National Unity Platform has been turned into a prison, saying his home can only be deemed a prison if it is gazetted, with people occupying it, but Kyagulanyi himself isn’t home.
Muhoozi has also denied allegations of abducting Lina Zedriga and Lydia Tukamushabe, top leaders of NUP, saying although the government may delay to produce the victims past the 42 stipulated time, the State “doesn’t abduct” as alleged by Joel Ssenyonyi.
The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi has told Parliament that the there are no charges being preferred against former Presidential Candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine, but instead, Bobi Wine voluntarily chose to go in hiding.
He defended the security deployment at Kyagulanyi’s home, saying it is intended to bar his supporters from using it as a public disorder hub.
