The opposition National Unity Platform party (NUP) has rejected the report about the missing supporters that was released by the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC).
Lewis David Rubongoya, the NUP Secretary General, claimed the report issued by UHRC Chairperson Mariam Wangadya on Tuesday, October 10th, 2023, faulted the NUP for not providing enough reports to the Commission as irrelevant.
According to the report, of the 30 people who had been reported as missing by NUP, 12 have been found in their homes, alive and well, while the other 18 were untraceable.
He said the missing persons were violated regardless of their release, and the Commission is still reluctant to say anything about it, yet it acknowledged that they were tortured by security forces.
“As you notice from the list, all these persons, without exception, were in detention for close to or over a month—much longer than the prescribed 48 hours—yet the Commission does not condemn or even say anything about this blatant violation of citizens’ rights,“ Rubongoya said.
Wangadya maintained that the Commission would continue with the inquiry.
She noted that investigations into Moses Kawenja, Denis Zimula, Shafik Wangola, Martin Lukwago, Peter Kirya, John Ddamulira, Michael Semuddu, Muhammad Kanatta, John Bosco Kibalama, Vincent Nalumonso, Yuda Sempiijja, Mbowa Musisi, Musitafa Luwemba, Hassan Mubiru, Isma Ssesazi, Godfrey Kisembo, George Kasumba, and Joseph Baguma that cannot be traced would be successful if NUP had provided enough particulars.
UHRC was established under the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda to promote and protect human rights and freedoms in the country in recognition of Uganda’s violent and turbulent history.