Claim Emerges of Missing Activist Sam Mugumya Seen in Captivity, Authorities Silent
A recently returned abduction victim has made a startling claim regarding the whereabouts of missing political activist Sam Mugumya, alleging he saw the activist in a deteriorating state of health while both were held captive. The claim, which remains unverified by independent sources or authorities, has reignited concerns over Mugumya’s fate and the alleged use of unofficial detention.
The revelation comes from Raymond Asiku, a supporter of the National Unity Platform (NUP), who was himself abducted and later released. According to Asiku, during his own detention in an undisclosed safe house, he encountered Sam Mugumya. He described Mugumya as being in poor health, barely able to walk.
Authorities have not confirmed Asiku’s account, and it remains unclear if the two men were ever held in the same facility. Independent sources have so far been unable to verify the claim.
Sam Mugumya, a political activist, was reportedly seized by men dressed in Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) attire on August 26, 2025, in Mbarara. His abduction occurred shortly after he publicly declared his intention to contest in parliamentary elections. Since that day, he has been held incommunicado, with no official acknowledgment of his location or legal status.
If Asiku’s claim is accurate, it would mean Mugumya has been detained without access to legal counsel, family, or formal charges for 157 days. This would place his detention firmly within a pattern of enforced disappearances frequently alleged by opposition groups and human rights organizations in Uganda.
The police and UPDF spokespersons have consistently stated they are not holding Sam Mugumya and have previously attributed his disappearance to possible cross-border activity. The government has yet to issue any response to Asiku’s specific allegation.
Human rights advocates and Mugumya’s family are calling for an immediate, transparent, and independent investigation into the claim. They demand that authorities either present Mugumya before a court of law if he is in official custody or urgently account for his whereabouts.
The case of Sam Mugumya continues to be a focal point for concerns over political freedoms and the rule of law in Uganda, with this latest claim adding a new, yet unconfirmed, layer to the mystery of his disappearance.
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