The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, has asked Speaker Jacob Oboth-Oboth to urgently recall the House over alleged human rights violations and disregard for the rule of law.
Ssenyonyi made the request in a June 17 letter to the Speaker, following the arrest of former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago from his home in Wakaliga, Kampala.
In the letter, Ssenyonyi said the country was facing rising cases of abductions, arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions and other alleged abuses by security agencies.
He argued that Parliament should intervene before its scheduled return on July 7.
Ssenyonyi Cites Security Agencies
Ssenyonyi specifically cited the conduct of the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
He said recent events had raised serious concerns about constitutional governance and respect for human rights.
“I write to request that Parliament be urgently reconvened to consider and address the growing incidents of human rights violations and disregard for the rule of law that I raised on the Floor of the House during the fourth sitting of the first meeting of the first session of the 12th Parliament, where the Vice President directed the Minister for Security to return with a statement,” Ssenyonyi wrote.
He added that the concerns he had raised earlier had not reduced.
“At the time, I brought to the attention of the House disturbing reports of abductions, arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions, excessive use of force by security agencies and other actions that undermine the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. Regrettably, indications suggest that these violations have not abated and are, in fact, escalating,” he wrote.
Request Follows Lukwago Arrest
Ssenyonyi’s request came a day after security operatives arrested Lukwago from his home in Wakaliga, Kampala, on Monday.
Lukwago was reportedly taken to an undisclosed location after the arrest.
Shortly after the incident, Gen Muhoozi posted on his official X account that he had captured “a fool”.
He later shared photographs purportedly showing Lukwago, with captions that critics described as demeaning.
Ssenyonyi said the Lukwago incident should not be treated as isolated.
He argued that several opposition politicians and supporters had faced similar treatment in recent years.
“While Parliament is scheduled to reconvene on July 7, waiting until then presents a significant risk. The continued absence of parliamentary intervention and oversight could create an environment in which further violations occur unchecked, thereby exposing more Ugandans to potential abuses and undermining public confidence in the rule of law and constitutional governance,” he said.
Lukwago was later arraigned before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court and charged with misprision of treason.
Missing NUP Supporters
Addressing journalists, Ssenyonyi claimed that several Ugandans, especially supporters of the opposition National Unity Platform, remain missing or are being held incommunicado.
“We know that a number of Ugandans have been missing for a while, including John Bosco Kibalama, Kanata, Muhammad, John Damulira and Amos Rwangumani, among others. They are being held incommunicado, tortured and rotting in jails, yet it seems to be business as usual,” he said.
“We understand that some of these missing persons were killed, which is why they have failed to produce them before courts of law,” he added.
The allegations had not been publicly responded to by Parliament by press time.
Eddie Mutwe Case Cited
Ssenyonyi also referred to the case of Edward Ssebufu, commonly known as Eddie Mutwe.
Mutwe, the chief bodyguard of NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, disappeared in April before resurfacing days later in detention.
During that period, Gen Muhoozi posted on social media claiming that he had captured Mutwe and was keeping him in a basement.
The incident triggered public outrage.
It also prompted MPs on Parliament’s Defence and Internal Affairs Committee to seek explanations from the military leadership.
However, efforts to summon the CDF reportedly failed after Gen Muhoozi publicly dismissed the legislators and questioned their authority to summon him.
Mutwe was later presented before the Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court in visibly frail condition and charged with treason.
That case remains before the courts.
Ssenyonyi Faults Museveni and Muhoozi
Ssenyonyi also blamed President Yoweri Museveni, as the appointing authority, for what he described as failure to restrain senior security officials.
He further accused Gen Muhoozi of engaging in partisan political activity while serving as a military officer.
“You cannot settle political scores using the office you hold. If you want to engage in politics, resign from the army, form a political party and compete with the rest of us on equal terms,” Ssenyonyi said.
By press time, Parliament had not publicly responded to Ssenyonyi’s request for an extraordinary sitting.
