The Ugandan military has officially acknowledged holding Catholic priest Father Deusdedit Ssekabira, who had been missing since December 3rd, alleging his participation in “violent subversive activities.” In a concise statement, military authorities confirmed the clergyman’s arrest, stating he remains in “lawful custody” and will face formal court charges.
This declaration follows urgent appeals from the Masaka Catholic Diocese, which previously reported Father Ssekabira’s alleged abduction by individuals wearing Uganda Army uniforms. The church institution has yet to respond to the military’s specific accusations against the priest.
The incident occurs as Uganda approaches next month’s elections amidst increasing international scrutiny regarding human rights violations, including enforced disappearances and extended detention without trial.
Masaka Bishop Serverus Jjumba characterized the priest’s disappearance as a “grievous wound inflicted on Masaka Diocese, the entire Catholic Church and Father Ssekabira’s family,” confirming ongoing efforts through legal channels to secure his safe return.
Opposition leader Bobi Wine promptly condemned the military’s detention of civilians, alleging systematic abductions of his supporters by state security forces. The presidential candidate, whose legal name is Robert Kyagulanyi, asserted this incident reflects the current governance reality under President Yoweri Museveni.
This case echoes previous incidents involving opposition figures and human rights activists. Last year, opposition politician Kizza Besigye mysteriously disappeared in Nairobi before reappearing in Ugandan military court, while two Kenyan activists were detained for five weeks after attending Wine’s campaign event before being released.
President Museveni previously described detained activists as “experts in riots” who had been placed “in the fridge for some days,” employing terminology that has drawn criticism from human rights organizations.
Ugandan security agencies continue facing allegations of detaining opposition supporters while out of uniform, with some detainees eventually surfacing in court facing criminal charges.