Shock in NRM! Ofwono Opondo Joins Ssenyonyi to Demand Answers From Museveni Government Over Missing Ugandans

A debate over alleged abductions and torture has taken a significant turn after NRM legislator Ofwono Opondo joined Opposition Leader Joel Ssenyonyi in demanding answers from the government about Ugandans reported missing. Their intervention in Parliament has renewed pressure on officials to explain what happened to the individuals whose cases have been raised and what action is being taken to establish their whereabouts.

Opondo’s remarks stand out because he is a member of the ruling National Resistance Movement, yet he questioned the conduct of security agencies over allegations of unlawful detention and mistreatment. He argued that the ruling party should not tolerate impunity and called on government officials to explain the reported incidents instead of allowing public concerns to persist.

One case that drew attention during the parliamentary debate involved human rights activist Praise Aloikin Opoloje. According to an account presented to Parliament, Opoloje was allegedly lured to a police station and taken away about three weeks earlier by individuals who identified themselves as members of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence. They were said to have used a vehicle commonly referred to as a “drone.”

The account presented in Parliament further alleged that Opoloje was assaulted after being taken away. The claims prompted questions about the circumstances surrounding her reported detention and treatment. Opondo called for the responsible authorities to clarify what happened, making the case part of a wider demand for accountability over reported disappearances.

The legislator urged the ministers responsible for Internal Affairs and Defence, together with the Attorney General, to explain the reported incident and address other allegations of abductions and unlawful detention. His intervention placed responsibility on government officials to respond to concerns raised by lawmakers and provide information that could help establish the facts.

Ssenyonyi supported the demand, insisting that people reported missing should be accounted for and that anyone held in custody should be brought before a court of law. The opposition leader has repeatedly raised the issue in Parliament and presented names of people whose families are seeking information about their loved ones. He also cautioned against portraying NRM members who question alleged human rights violations as disloyal to their party.

The debate has also exposed frustration over delays in providing official information. Parliament had previously given the Executive approximately two weeks to present a report on people allegedly abducted or detained without being produced in court, but the report had not been presented by Thursday’s sitting. Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa expressed reservations about setting a firm deadline for the National Security Council to respond, while Ssenyonyi criticised the delay.

With members of both the ruling party and opposition demanding answers, the issue has become a test of the government’s response to allegations involving security agencies. The claims surrounding Opoloje’s reported detention and treatment have not been independently verified in the information provided. However, the legislators’ calls have put the focus on the need for clear explanations, proper legal procedures and information for families still seeking to establish the whereabouts of missing relatives.