Gen. Muhoozi Says Sam Mugumya Is Alive, Threatens to Execute Him

What the report says

KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has said missing opposition activist Sam Mugumya is alive and claimed to have him in custody, according to Watchdog Uganda. In posts on X on Friday, Muhoozi also threatened to execute Mugumya, intensifying an already sensitive case that has drawn public and institutional attention.

Watchdog Uganda reported that Muhoozi first said Mugumya was “fine” before adding that he would execute him soon. In a later post, he escalated the remarks by saying he would shoot Mugumya to death. The publication said the comments came as questions continued over Mugumya’s physical condition after video footage circulated online that appeared to show him in a weakened state.

Mugumya, a former aide to opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye, was reportedly last seen after armed men took him in Mbarara City on August 26, 2025, according to the report. Watchdog Uganda also noted that the authenticity, date and location of the footage have not been independently verified.

The development comes after Parliament gave the government two weeks to account for Mugumya and others reported missing or detained without being brought to court. The Uganda Law Society has also said it plans to raise the matter with United Nations special procedures on enforced disappearances. Watchdog Uganda said the UPDF has previously denied holding Mugumya, making Muhoozi’s latest remarks a new and significant twist in a case already under scrutiny.