By Spy Uganda
Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, has raised concerns over the disappearance of Mr. Charles Bukenya Muvawala a Ugandan-American who was reportedly abducted in Kampala.
Muvawala, the Vice President of the Ugandan North American Association (UNAA), was taken by armed men from Nakulabye, Kampala, at around 1:00 AM, according to his family.
Bobi Wine, leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), has strongly condemned the abduction, pointing fingers at the Ugandan government. “We are deeply concerned by the disappearance of Mr. Charles Bukenya ‘Muvawala,’ a citizen of the United States hailing from Uganda. His family says he was abducted by gunmen from Nakulabye, Kampala, around 01:00 AM today morning while on a visit to Uganda,” he said in a statement.
Muvawala is well known in Ugandan circles both at home and abroad. Aside from his role at UNAA, he is a former member of Bakayimbira Dramactors and was once a presenter of the popular ‘Binsangawano’ show on Radio Simba.
According to Bobi Wine, Muvawala was able to send a distress message before being taken. “At the time of his abduction, he sent a message indicating that operatives had come for him. Given the recent spate of abductions targeting opposition-leaning Ugandans, we know that this too is the handiwork of the cowardly Museveni regime,” he stated.
Bobi Wine further demanded Muvawala’s immediate release or legal due process if there are any allegations against him. “We demand for his immediate release from illegal detention or his swift arraignment in courts of law IF he committed any offence.”
The opposition leader also warned Ugandans living abroad to take extra precautions when visiting the country. “We also call upon all Ugandans in the diaspora to exercise extra vigilance while in Uganda because the regime, in its last days, has gone completely insane,” he cautioned.
Uganda has been facing increased scrutiny over reports of enforced disappearances and abductions of opposition figures and government critics. The pattern of arrests without formal charges or court proceedings has led to growing fear and condemnation both locally and internationally.
Meanwhile, although the opposition describes such incidents as abductions, government security agencies argue that these are lawful arrests of individuals suspected of criminal activities that could destabilize the country’s security. Authorities maintain that those taken into custody are investigated in accordance with the law and released if found guilty.
