Gen. David Muhoozi, Minister of State for Internal Affairs, has dismissed allegations that the government abducted top National Unity Platform (NUP) leaders, including Lina Zedriga and Lydia Tukamushabe, and defended the security deployment at opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi’s residence.
“Hon. Kyagulanyi’s home is not a prison. Security may have reasons for their presence there,” Muhoozi said, adding, “We do not abduct but we arrest, and we can account for all those people in custody.”
He clarified that a residence can only be considered a prison if officially gazetted, noting that Kyagulanyi himself is not at home, and security inconveniences can be addressed.
State Minister for ICT, Chris Baryomunsi, supported the view, stating that Kyagulanyi “chose to go into hiding. The state is not interested in him; otherwise, he would have been picked up from wherever he is.”
The statements drew sharp criticism from Leader of Opposition (LoP) Joel Ssenyonyi, who insisted that questions about the whereabouts of NUP leaders remain unresolved.
“If there is an offence that Hon. Kyagulanyi Robert Ssentamu is suspected of committing, whether related to running for the presidency, why haven’t summons been served on him?” Ssenyonyi asked.
He added, “It is unacceptable that people get abducted and their whereabouts are not known for a certain period of time. Why can’t people be produced in court?”
Ssenyonyi vowed to continue using Parliament as a platform to demand accountability for opposition supporters. He explained that his refusal to congratulate President Museveni and some Members of Parliament was deliberate, citing unresolved issues affecting opposition figures. “There are people who can congratulate them, other than me,” he said.
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between government authorities and opposition leaders over security operations, alleged political intimidation, and accountability for NUP members, as Uganda navigates a politically sensitive period following recent elections.
