High court warns police, army chiefs over Mugumya’s whereabouts

What the report says

Kampala High Court judge Simon Peter Kinobe has warned Uganda’s police and military leadership that they could face contempt proceedings if they continue to ignore court orders on the whereabouts of opposition activist Sam Mugumya, according to The Observer. The matter came up during a second hearing on a habeas corpus application filed by Mugumya’s lawyers, who are seeking to compel authorities to produce him or account for his disappearance.

The lawyers, Kato Tumusiime and Kakuru Tumusiime of Kiiza and Mugisha Advocates, told court that Mugumya was allegedly seized by armed men in Mbarara on August 26, 2025, taken to an undisclosed place, and has since been held without access to family, lawyers or a doctor. They also say he has not been brought before a court. Government lawyers said they were still gathering information from the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and asked for more time.

Kinobe granted the state an additional three weeks to investigate and file a report, but he said the delay was no longer acceptable and insisted the court needed clear answers and named officials responsible for compliance. He said he was prepared to act against specific officers if orders were ignored. The case was adjourned to November 30, 2026.

The Observer said the dispute follows earlier court orders issued in September 2025 and comes amid continuing denial by security agencies that they have Mugumya in custody, despite public remarks attributed to Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and a leaked video that his lawyers say support their concerns.