UgandaToday: Abducted Then Arraigned: The Political Pattern Behind Waiswa Mufumbiro’s Orchestrated Arrest”
Byline: Uganda Today Political Desk
Last Friday, a disturbing echo of political intimidation reverberated through Kawempe Magistrates’ Court as armed men, believed to be from the military or security operatives, abducted National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy Spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro. The incident—occurring amidst a bail hearing for fellow NUP figures—marks yet another chilling episode in a troubling pattern of repression. Soon after, Mufumbiro was brought before the same court to face charges stemming from alleged participation in a military-style “parade” at NUP’s Makerere-Kavule headquarters earlier this February—a parade he insists he did not attend.
According to eyewitnesses and statements from NUP, Mufumbiro was forcibly removed during court proceedings, bundled into a van (Noah, registration UAK 368K), and taken to an undisclosed location before later being arraigned on vague charges Amnesty InternationalAP NewsMonitor. He alleges that this latest arrest was orchestrated by political rival Michael Kabaziguruka of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), who stands to gain from this sidelining .
A Troubling Pattern of Abductions
This July–September episode mirrors earlier crackdowns—particularly the February abductions of several NUP supporters accused of taking part in “military drills” during a misguided NUP gathering. The arrests, similar to Friday’s, were based on flimsy allegations and served to stifle dissent while reinforcing a culture of fear among opposition circles.
A Broader History of Political Persecution
Historically, these acts are not isolated. In November last year, Dr. Kizza Besigye—a longtime opposition figure—and his aide Haji Obeid Lutale were abducted from Nairobi, Kenya, resurfacing days later in Kampala’s military court facing charges of illegal firearms possession and conspiring to undermine Uganda’s security Amnesty International USAAmnesty KenyaAP NewsThe Washington PostReuters. Their rendition and arraignment in military venues violated both extradition norms and the rights of civilians to be tried in civilian courts. Indeed, in February 2025, Uganda’s Supreme Court ruled that civilians must no longer be tried in military courts—a ruling that must be heeded Amnesty InternationalAP NewsReuters.
Connecting the Dots
These abductions are not random—they form a clear pattern of suppressing political voices through coercive, extrajudicial means. From February’s alleged military drills to Friday’s orchestrated court-side abduction, the message is chillingly consistent: dissent comes with a price. Mufumbiro’s allegations of rivalry-fueled manipulation suggest political interference at the highest levels, whether through legal or extralegal instruments.
Likewise, Besigye’s cross-border abduction highlights the lengths to which authorities will go to silence critics—ignoring international borders, legal norms, and human rights.
Hashtags
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#FreeWaiswaMufumbiro -
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#BesigyeObeidCase
Waiswa Mufumbiro’s abduction and subsequent arraignment are symptomatic of a broader political trend—one that weaponizes security apparatuses to suppress dissent. The parallels with Dr. Kizza Besigye’s forced removal from Kenya amplify concerns about democratic backsliding and the erosion of rights. It is vital for Ugandans and the international community to demand transparency, fair trials, and an end to politically motivated abductions.
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