"They Wanted to Silence Me" — UNAA's Muvawala Speaks Out After Brutal Abduction and Torture

Charles Bukenya Muvawala, the Vice President of the Uganda North American Association (UNAA), has broken his silence after surviving a harrowing abduction and torture ordeal.

Muvawala, who went missing on Wednesday night in Nakulabye, Kampala, was found two days later in a swamp in Buliisa District, weak and bearing visible signs of mistreatment.

His disappearance sent shockwaves through Uganda’s political circles, with opposition leaders and human rights activists raising the alarm.

National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, confirmed that he spoke with Muvawala after his release.

“They tortured him for hours before dumping him in a swamp. He is traumatized but grateful to be alive,” Kyagulanyi stated.

Images of Muvawala’s frail body, covered in bruises, have been circulating online, sparking widespread outrage.

Many see his abduction as part of a growing trend of enforced disappearances targeting government critics and opposition figures.

“They wanted to silence me,” Muvawala reportedly told close associates, hinting that his ordeal was politically motivated.

Security forces, particularly the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), have distanced themselves from the abduction.

UPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Felix Kulayigye dismissed allegations of military involvement, suggesting that Muvawala’s situation could be linked to personal or immigration-related issues.

However, opposition supporters remain unconvinced, accusing state agencies of orchestrating attacks against dissenting voices.

The abduction has fueled demands for accountability. UNAA members and opposition figures have condemned the incident, calling for an independent investigation.

“No Ugandan should be abducted, tortured, and left to die in a swamp simply for having different political beliefs,” said NUP spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi.

Human rights groups have also weighed in, warning that Uganda is witnessing an alarming increase in politically motivated kidnappings.

International organizations are urging President Yoweri Museveni’s government to uphold the rule of law and protect all citizens regardless of their political affiliations.

Despite surviving the ordeal, Muvawala remains in a fragile state. Supporters continue to demand justice, urging authorities to take action against those responsible.

His case has added to the already tense political atmosphere in Uganda, reinforcing calls for urgent human rights reforms.

With public pressure mounting, the government faces renewed scrutiny over its handling of political dissent.

For now, Muvawala’s survival serves as a stark reminder of the dangers facing opposition figures in Uganda today.