The Makerere Law Society has demanded the immediate release of political analyst Ronald Leonard Egesa and activist David Musiri Bwogi following their reported abductions by armed men in plain clothes, calling on security agencies to account for their whereabouts and explain the circumstances under which they were taken.
In a statement issued on November 14, 2026, the society condemned the incidents, saying Egesa was seized from the Radio One and Akaboozi FM premises in Kampala on Friday evening, November 13, shortly after appearing on a live political talk show, while Musiri was reportedly taken from his home along Salaama Road in Kampala.
The first public alarm over Musiri’s disappearance was raised by academic and activist Stella Nyanzi, who took to social media to announce that her former partner had been taken by armed men.
“My ex-lover, Musiri David, has been abducted by armed men. How many more freedom fighters will be abducted by the idiots serving dictator Yoweri @KagutaMuseveni and the brainless brutes bootlicking the Cabbage Head @mkainerugaba Muhoozi Kainerugaba?” Nyanzi wrote.
She accused the government of targeting people opposed to its leadership, warning that the arrests and abductions of government critics would not end resistance.
“Arresting dissidents will not stop Uganda’s resistance! Each new abduction activates millions of new dissidents. Teri kuzikiza…” she added.
Musiri’s reported disappearance was also brought to public attention by National Unity Platform (NUP) secretary general David Lewis Rubongoya, who said heavily armed operatives had taken the activist from his home along Salaama Road.
“Activist Musiri David also apparently taken away by heavily armed operatives from his home on Salaama Road this morning. Very unfortunate times we’re living in,” Rubongoya wrote.
Musiri is a former NUP head of institutions who rose to prominence through student activism at Makerere University and opposition political organising. He later joined the Democratic Front and was listed as a candidate for Makindye West in the 2026 parliamentary elections.
His reported disappearance came amid growing concern over the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Egesa, who was taken away by armed men shortly after participating in a political discussion on Akaboozi FM.
According to reports from Radio One, the men, dressed in plain clothes and travelling in a white unmarked vehicle commonly known as a drone, intercepted Egesa at the station’s parking area after the programme.
The discussion, hosted by Jude Bukenya, featured Egesa alongside Democratic Front Electoral Commission chairperson Henry Lubowa and People’s Front for Freedom official Harold Kaija.
Radio One later shared surveillance footage appearing to show several men moving through the media house premises before taking Egesa away in the waiting vehicle.
Harold Kaija, who participated in the discussion, later described the frightening moments surrounding the incident, saying the men threatened to shoot those who attempted to resist.
The incident attracted condemnation from the Uganda Law Society, whose president, Isaac Ssemakadde, said the organisation had obtained surveillance footage documenting Egesa’s reported abduction.
The Uganda Law Society demanded his immediate release and disclosure of his whereabouts, arguing that taking someone from a media house without explaining the legal basis for their detention undermines freedom of expression and media independence.
In its November 14 statement, the Makerere Law Society said the two incidents raised serious constitutional questions, particularly regarding the protection of personal liberty, freedom of expression and the right to a fair legal process.
“Regardless of the identity, views, or public controversy surrounding any individual, the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda binds the State,” the statement signed by society president Sembajjwe Rogers reads.
The society cited Article 23 of the Constitution, which protects personal liberty and requires that anyone arrested or detained be held in a place authorised by law, informed immediately of the reasons for their arrest in a language they understand and given access to legal representation.
It further noted that the Constitution requires anyone arrested to be brought before a court within 48 hours and allows access to their next of kin, lawyer, and personal doctor.
“Seizure by unidentified men, followed by silence, satisfies none of these guarantees,” the society said.
The lawyers-in-training also cited Articles 24 and 44 of the Constitution, which prohibit torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and protect fundamental rights that cannot be suspended.
The statement further referred to the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act, 2012, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
The society argued that these legal instruments affirm every person’s entitlement to liberty, dignity and freedom of expression and that officials who participate in unlawful detention or torture should be held personally accountable.
It particularly linked Egesa’s reported disappearance to the importance of protecting public commentary, noting that he was taken shortly after participating in a media discussion.
“Mr. Egesa was reportedly taken immediately after a media appearance. If his abduction is connected to his public commentary, it is an attack on free speech for every Ugandan,” the statement added.
The Makerere Law Society consequently called upon the U,ganda Police Force, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and all other security agencies to establish whether they were holding the two men and disclose where they were being detained.
It demanded their immediate release or production before a competent court within 48 hours, with access to their lawyers, families and independent medical attention.
The society also called for an independent investigation into the reported incidents and prosecution of anyone found responsible, irrespective of their rank or position.
It further urged the Uganda Human Rights Commission to exercise its constitutional mandate and investigate the circumstances surrounding the reported abductions.
“As students of the law, we are taught that power is lawful only when exercised within the Constitution. Abduction is not law enforcement,” society said.
