Good News for Opposition as Museveni’s Government Orders End to Basement Detentions, Directs Security Agencies to Use Gazetted Facilities

The government has directed all security agencies to hold suspects in officially gazetted detention facilities, in a move that could address longstanding concerns about people being arrested and kept in undisclosed locations commonly referred to as basements. Internal Affairs Minister Professor Ephraim Kamuntu announced the directive while presenting a ministerial statement on Uganda’s security situation in Parliament.

Kamuntu told legislators that the National Security Council had guided that every suspect arrested by security agencies must be detained in legally recognised facilities. He emphasised that the directive would be implemented, signalling a government commitment to ensure that arrests and detention follow established procedures.

The announcement comes amid repeated concerns from opposition politicians, human rights activists and families of missing persons over alleged abductions and detention in places that are not officially recognised. Some critics have accused security agencies of keeping suspects in undisclosed locations, although the circumstances surrounding individual cases have often remained contested.

Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi welcomed the directive but challenged the government to address cases that have already been reported. He argued that issuing new instructions was not enough unless authorities also explained the whereabouts of people allegedly abducted and held in unknown detention facilities.

Ssenyonyi’s remarks reflected the wider concerns among legislators who want accountability from security agencies. They argued that the government should ensure that every person arrested is accounted for, their families can establish where they are being held, and their rights are respected throughout the legal process.

Meanwhile, Kamuntu's statement also presented statistics on criminal activity across the country. Between January and September 2026, Uganda recorded 3,192 homicide cases, of which 818 had been taken to court, 72 had not been processed and 2,304 remained under investigation. A total of 1,184 suspects had been arrested and charged, with nine convicted, six discharged and 1,169 awaiting trial.

The minister attributed several criminal incidents reported in districts including Kazo, Kyotera, Ibanda, Kyegegwa, Mubende, Sheema, Ntungamo and Masaka to factors such as land disputes, domestic conflicts, poverty, mob justice and witchcraft. He said government was strengthening community policing, improving investigations and deploying more security personnel to areas experiencing high crime rates.

Vice President Jessica Alupo also expressed concern about the fear created by criminal incidents in affected communities, warning security agencies and the Judiciary against compromising their responsibilities. Although the directive has been welcomed by some opposition figures, its real impact will depend on how consistently it is enforced and whether authorities also account for people whose detention in unofficial locations has previously been questioned.