Kampala — NRM legislator Ofwono Opondo has challenged the government over reported abductions and allegations of torture by security agencies, joining Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi in demanding answers about the whereabouts of missing persons.
The two legislators raised the concerns during a parliamentary sitting on Thursday, with Opondo questioning the conduct of security agencies and demanding explanations from government officials over reported cases of abduction, unlawful detention and alleged mistreatment of citizens.
Opondo singled out the reported detention of human rights activist Praise Aloikin Opoloje, who was allegedly taken away after being lured to a police station about three weeks earlier.
According to an account presented in Parliament, individuals identifying themselves as members of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) took Opoloje away in a vehicle commonly known as a “drone”. She was reportedly assaulted.
Questioning whether such actions had become acceptable under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government, Opondo argued that the ruling party should not tolerate impunity or the alleged mistreatment of citizens.
He called on the ministers of Internal Affairs and Defence, alongside the Attorney General, to explain the circumstances surrounding the incident and address other reported cases of abduction and unlawful detention.
Ssenyonyi backed the call for accountability, urging the government to disclose the whereabouts of people reported missing and ensure that anyone in custody is brought before a court of law.
The Leader of the Opposition has repeatedly raised concerns about individuals allegedly being held incommunicado and has presented names of missing persons to the government, demanding answers for their families.
Ssenyonyi also warned against branding NRM members who question alleged human rights violations as disloyal to the party, arguing that raising concerns about abuses should not be treated as an act of disloyalty.
Parliament also revisited a pending government report on people allegedly abducted or detained without being produced in court.
The Executive had earlier been given approximately two weeks to provide information on specific cases, but the report had not been presented by Thursday’s sitting.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa expressed reservations about setting a firm deadline for the National Security Council to respond, while Ssenyonyi criticised the delay, saying some cases had remained unresolved for months.
The debate highlighted continued parliamentary pressure on the government to account for reported disappearances and address allegations of abuse by security agencies.
The allegations surrounding Opoloje’s reported detention and treatment have not been independently verified in the information provided. The relevant authorities have been asked to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident.
