Uganda Law Society vows to pursue missing activist Sam Mugumya's case after mother's plea

Uganda Law Society leaders have pledged to establish the whereabouts of missing activist Sam Mugumya after visiting his mother in Rukungiri, where they called for his release or production in court if he is being lawfully detained.

The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has pledged to help establish the whereabouts of missing political activist Sam Mugumya after visiting his mother, who says she has lived in anguish since his reported abduction nearly a year ago.

A delegation led by ULS Vice President Anthony Asiimwe travelled to Rukungiri District to meet Edinansi Katungwesi, whose son disappeared on August 26, 2025. Mugumya, a member of the People's Front for Freedom (PFF) and former aide to opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, was reportedly abducted by armed men while taking tea at a restaurant in Mbarara.

His family and supporters allege he was bundled into a "drone" vehicle by security operatives. Security agencies have previously denied holding him.

Speaking during the visit, Katungwesi said she has endured months of uncertainty over her son's fate.

"He got lost on August 26, 2025, and up to now I do not know where my son is. Someone called and told me he had been abducted by security men. My son had committed no offence, and no one in the village had any problem with him. Let the God who gave me my son return him," she said.

She said a recently circulated video said to show Mugumya in poor physical condition had worsened her distress and appealed to the government to either release him or bring him before a court of law.

Following the meeting, Asiimwe said the Uganda Law Society would pursue the matter until the family receives answers.

"The mother is deeply worried because she does not know whether her son is alive or dead. She has turned to the Uganda Law Society to help establish where Sam Mugumya is. We shall do our best to help her find out whether he is alive or dead," Asiimwe said.

He urged whoever may be holding Mugumya to respect the rule of law and his constitutional rights.

"The Uganda Law Society calls upon whoever is responsible to respect human dignity and the rule of law and release Sam Mugumya. If he committed any offence, let him be produced in court because he has rights. We are also calling for the release of Sam Mugumya and other political prisoners," he said.

PFF Electoral Commissioner for Rukungiri District Mugyeni Gashom, who is also Mugumya's uncle, accompanied the delegation and criticised what he described as a pattern of enforced disappearances.

"Together with the Uganda Law Society, we have come to ask that Sam be produced in court immediately. We condemn the abduction of people without their families being told where they are. We urge the government to ensure Sam Mugumya is produced before court," Gashom said.

Mugumya had declared his intention to contest for the Rukungiri Municipality parliamentary seat on the PFF ticket when he was reportedly picked up by unknown men from a hotel in Mbarara City and has not been seen in person again.

His whereabouts remain unknown except for a newly-leaked video that shows him seemingly invalid and in poor health, with his family continuing to demand that the authorities either release him or present him before a competent court if he is in lawful custody.