Newly sworn-in Masaka City Woman Member of Parliament Justine Nameere was reportedly arrested on Friday evening by armed security operatives under unclear circumstances, triggering confusion among her supporters and political allies.
According to multiple media reports, Nameere was intercepted by plain-clothed operatives shortly after concluding a celebratory procession in Masaka City following her swearing-in as a member of the 12th Parliament.
Witnesses told local media that the arrest occurred at around 8:30 pm along Circular Road as Nameere’s convoy headed toward Liberation Square in Masaka City. Reports indicate that a white Toyota Hiace commonly referred to as a “drone” blocked her vehicle before armed men reportedly forced her out of the car.
At the time of the incident, Nameere was reportedly travelling with her husband, Hamza Kennedy Nsubuga. Her whereabouts were not immediately known by Friday night.
The reported arrest came just hours after a heated political exchange involving supporters of the Patriotic League of Uganda and allies of Speaker Anita Annet Among amid ongoing discussions surrounding the Speakership race in the incoming Parliament.
Earlier in the day, Muhoozi Kainerugaba had publicly endorsed Defence Minister Jacob Oboth-Oboth for Speaker of Parliament, a move that intensified political debate within ruling party circles.
Reports also suggested that Nameere had continued publicly criticising PLU Secretary General Daudi Kabanda after her swearing-in ceremony.
By Saturday morning, neither security agencies nor government officials had issued an official statement explaining the reasons for the arrest or confirming where the MP was being held.
Nameere, a lawyer and former television presenter, was recently sworn in as Woman MP for Masaka City for the 2026–2031 parliamentary term.
