How ‘fake’ police carpet complaint led to abduction of activist Opoloje

What the report says

Human rights activist and lawyer Aloikin Praise Opoloje was reportedly taken away from Namungoona police station in Uganda after responding to a complaint over a disputed carpet theft, according to her friend Raus Ninsima, as reported by The Observer. Ninsima said the complaint appeared to be a pretext that brought Opoloje to the station, where armed men later removed her. The article says the incident came after Opoloje had publicly criticized Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba in a video shared earlier the same day.

The Observer reported that Opoloje and Ninsima went to police with the carpet in question after being contacted about the ownership dispute. Once at the station, Ninsima said officers directed them into another room, where they were told that security operatives had been tracking Opoloje. She said plainclothes and uniformed personnel then intervened, and Opoloje was forced into a van. The article adds that Opoloje’s whereabouts were not publicly confirmed by police or defence authorities at the time of publication.

The disappearance has prompted concern from lawyers and rights groups, including the Uganda Law Society, which demanded her release and called for authorities to account for her location and legal status. The World Liberty Congress also sought clarification. More broadly, the case reflects ongoing tensions in Uganda around alleged politically linked detentions, especially involving critics of senior military figures. Opoloje has previously faced arrest in connection with protest activity, according to the report.