Uganda Law Society (ULS) President Isaac Ssemakadde has sharply criticised a High Court directive ordering police to investigate the disappearance of former Butambala MP Muwanga Kivumbi, arguing the move undermines the purpose of habeas corpus and raises serious questions about accountability.
In remarks issued following the court’s decision, Ssemakadde faulted Justice Acellam’s refusal to grant a habeas corpus order, instead directing police to establish Kivumbi’s whereabouts within seven days.
The ULS president described the decision as misplaced, given allegations that security operatives abducted the former legislator in broad daylight.
“So the High Court refused to issue habeas corpus for Muwanga Kivumbi,” Ssemakadde said.
“Instead, Justice Acellam has ordered police — the same police who watched the military abduct him and did nothing — to ‘investigate’ his disappearance and report back in seven days.”
Kivumbi has been missing for nearly two weeks, with police denying holding him. The absence of clarity on which security agency may be responsible has fuelled concern among opposition figures and civil society groups.
Ssemakadde argued that assigning the police to lead investigations creates a conflict of interest.
“The abductors’ accomplices are now the investigators. Let that sink in,” he stated, adding that habeas corpus is designed to compel authorities to produce a detained person before court, not to allow time for inquiries.
“A writ of habeas corpus exists to produce a living body before court, not to give suspects seven days to clean up their mess,” he added.
The ULS president further expressed lack of confidence in the investigative process, questioning whether the directive would yield credible findings.
“We are being asked to trust the very people who facilitated the crime. I don’t trust them. Neither should you,” he said.
The case has been adjourned to July 29, when police are expected to present findings on Kivumbi’s whereabouts.
Meanwhile, pressure continues to mount on authorities to provide answers, as rights groups warn the case reflects a broader pattern of alleged enforced disappearances.