The President of the Uganda Law Society (ULS), Isaac Ssemakadde, has renewed pressure on Ugandan authorities over the fate of opposition activist Sam Mugumya, describing his prolonged disappearance as a serious breach of constitutional rights and due process.
In a statement dated August 3, 2026, Ssemakadde questioned the continued silence by state actors regarding Mugumya’s whereabouts, saying the activist has now been missing for nearly a year under unclear circumstances.
Mugumya, a known democracy and human rights campaigner, is reportedly from Rukungiri District.
Ssemakadde directly addressed senior government figures, including Security Minister Jim Muhwezi and former security chief Henry Tumukunde, urging them to intervene.
He noted that both leaders had previously experienced state detention and should understand the legal and human implications of holding individuals without trial.
“Sam Mugumya has not been presented before any court. The state has not admitted to having him in custody,” Ssemakadde stated, raising concerns over what he termed as enforced disappearance and denial of justice.
The ULS president referenced earlier habeas corpus proceedings and a video circulating on social media allegedly showing Mugumya in poor health.
However, he acknowledged that the authenticity of the footage had not been independently verified.
Mugumya is said to have been abducted on August 26, 2025, in an operation reportedly involving military personnel.
Since then, there has been no official confirmation of his detention, a situation that has fueled criticism from rights groups and sections of Uganda’s legal fraternity.
Ssemakadde argued that the failure to either charge or release Mugumya undermines the rule of law and erodes public confidence in state institutions.
He called for immediate action, including access to medical care, legal representation, and family contact.
“Sam Mugumya must receive proper medical attention. He must either be charged or released,” he said.
The development comes amid broader scrutiny of governance and human rights in Uganda following the contested 2026 general election, which was marked by allegations of abuses and suppression of opposition voices.