Lawyer Eron Kiiza has criticised Uganda’s military leadership after General Muhoozi Kainerugaba publicly acknowledged that activist Sam Mugumya was in his custody, days after the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) had dismissed claims that the activist was being held by security agencies.
Kiiza said the admission contradicted earlier statements by UPDF acting deputy spokesperson Chris Magezi, who had rejected allegations that Mugumya was being detained by the military.
In a statement, Kiiza referred to Magezi’s earlier response as a denial of allegations surrounding the alleged abduction, torture and disappearance of Ugandans at a military facility in Kasenyi, near Abaita Ababiri.
His comments followed posts by Muhoozi on X on Friday, October 2, 2026, in which the Chief of Defence Forces said he had Mugumya and claimed the activist was “fine”.
In a subsequent post, Muhoozi threatened to shoot Mugumya to death.
Kiiza described the posts as an admission that a citizen was being held outside what he characterised as a lawful detention process. He also accused the military leadership of disregarding the rule of law and judicial authority.
According to Kiiza, Mugumya was allegedly abducted in Mbarara on August 26, 2025, and had not been publicly accounted for since then. He further cited a September 2025 affidavit attributed to UPDF Director of Civil Affairs Lt Col Edgar Musasizi, which reportedly stated that searches had found no record of Mugumya.
Kiiza argued that Muhoozi’s subsequent acknowledgment raised questions about the earlier denial and the circumstances surrounding Mugumya’s detention.
The lawyer also recalled that the High Court had previously ordered authorities to produce Mugumya within seven days, alleging that the order was not complied with.
Kiiza called on the Inspector General of Police, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Uganda Human Rights Commission and Parliament to intervene over Mugumya’s reported detention.
He said Mugumya should be produced alive and unharmed before a competent court without delay.
The latest developments have renewed attention on Mugumya’s whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding his reported disappearance.