Two Ugandans who had been missing for weeks — Tumwine Elson, a Makerere University student, and Nsambu Douglas, a supporter of the National Unity Platform (NUP) — have reportedly been found in police custody, following a revelation by NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya.
Rubongoya made the announcement on Monday via social media, revealing that the party’s human rights team located the two individuals at Entebbe Police Station after receiving credible information. Both Elson and Nsambu were allegedly abducted on different dates — March 28 and June 8 respectively — and had not been seen or heard from until now.
According to Rubongoya’s statement, Elson and Nsambu disclosed that they were held incommunicado at the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), where they were subjected to “incredible torture.” They claim they were later transferred to Entebbe Police Station on July 13, where they’ve remained without formal charges or legal representation.
The two reportedly suspect they may be charged with offenses linked to their social media activity — a tactic Rubongoya says is part of a broader pattern by the regime to stifle dissent. “The regime has instrumentalised that court, which never grants bail to the political prisoners,” Rubongoya said, adding that Elson and Nsambu were detained alongside other NUP supporters, many of whom remain in CMI custody under similarly harsh conditions.
Tumwine Elson’s disappearance sparked public concern earlier this month when Makerere University issued a missing person notice, asking the public to assist in locating him. A third-year student of Agriculture and Rural Innovation, Elson had last been seen participating in an internship program. His sudden disappearance raised alarm within the university community and prompted an official call for public vigilance.
The revelation has reignited criticism over Uganda’s growing record of enforced disappearances, unlawful detentions, and torture of political opponents. Human rights groups have repeatedly condemned the government’s use of security forces to silence dissent, with CMI frequently named in abuse allegations.
“This kind of blatant abuse of the law must concern every citizen of good conscience,” Rubongoya emphasized in his statement, calling on Ugandans and the international community to demand accountability.
As of now, neither the Uganda Police Force nor the CMI has issued an official response to the allegations. Legal advocacy groups are calling for immediate access to the detained individuals and an end to illegal detention practices.
