Uganda’s political climate is once again under scrutiny following a recent wave of abductions and arrests that now appear to be targeting both grassroots supporters and high-profile figures.
The latest developments, including the military arrest of former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and former minister Miria Matembe, have intensified debate over civil liberties and the rule of law.
National Unity Platform (NUP) Secretary General David Rubongoya has raised alarm over what he describes as a troubling pattern that began with the targeting of ordinary party supporters.
In a social media statement, Rubongoya noted that earlier abductions largely affected “foot soldiers” within the opposition, many of whom were dismissed by some sections of the public as troublemakers.
“At the time, some people justified those actions, arguing that the victims were hooligans who deserved punishment,” Rubongoya said. “But even hooligans deserve due process.”
According to Rubongoya, the failure by the public and institutions to collectively condemn those earlier incidents may have created an environment where such actions could escalate unchecked.
He now argues that the scope of the crackdown has widened significantly, with prominent and respected figures increasingly becoming targets.
“Now, they’re abducting the most accomplished in our society,” he added, pointing to the arrests of Lukwago and Matembe as a turning point in the unfolding situation.
Rubongoya further suggested that the current state of affairs reflects a broader systemic issue, where silence or indifference in the face of rights violations emboldens further excesses.
He warned that individuals who feel insulated—whether due to proximity to power or personal security—should not assume immunity.
“Maybe if we had worked collectively to protect the lowest in our society, the regime would never have been emboldened to come for the highest,” he stated.