How carpet complaint led to activist Opoloje to police, then to the unknown

What the report says

Kampala, Uganda, is at the center of reports involving human rights activist and lawyer Aloikin Praise Opoloje, a member of Agora Discourse, who was allegedly taken from Namungoona Police Station to an unknown location after being summoned over a dispute about a carpet. According to The Independent Uganda’s report, Opoloje went to the station with a friend and the disputed carpet after being called in on a complaint that the item had been stolen.

The article says the disagreement began earlier in the day when a carpet-cleaning business contacted Opoloje and claimed the carpet belonged to another woman. Her friend, Raus Ninsima, said they tried to resolve the matter by sharing photos and videos, but the woman later reported the issue to police. Opoloje was then asked to report to Namungoona Police Station, where, according to Ninsima, the situation shifted away from the carpet dispute.

Ninsima alleged that men identifying themselves as security operatives said Opoloje had been under surveillance and would be taken to the Chief of Defence Forces. She said officers stopped Opoloje from recording events at the station, a scuffle followed, and Opoloje was pushed into a waiting vehicle. Her whereabouts were unknown at the time of publication.

The report says the incident came shortly after Opoloje posted a video criticizing Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and it has prompted concern from the Uganda Law Society and other civil society figures. The article also notes that Opoloje has previously faced arrest linked to anti-corruption protests, placing the latest episode in a broader context of scrutiny of activists in Uganda.