When My Name Was Mentioned in the Besigye Case to Overthrow Museveni, I Was Shocked, I Had to Flee for My Life – Salaamu Musumba

Former Bugabula South Member of Parliament Proscovia Salaamu Musumba has spoken about the fear and uncertainty she has experienced after her name reportedly appeared in the amended court case involving opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye and former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. Musumba says the allegations left her shocked and concerned about her personal safety, with reports now indicating that she has left Uganda.

Speaking during a Uganda Law Society discussion on witness protection and safe evacuation hosted on X, Musumba explained that she was surprised when she learnt that her name had been mentioned at Nakawa Magistrates’ Court. She said she initially thought the court was referring to another person because she could not understand how she had become connected to the allegations.

“When my name was mentioned at Nakawa Magistrates’ Court, I was in shock. I thought they were talking about somebody else, not me,” Musumba said. She questioned claims that she had organised meetings in Geneva, Greece and Brussels, insisting that she had never visited those places.

The former legislator said it took several lawyers and legal friends to convince her that the situation could expose her to danger. According to Musumba, she was warned that being described as an architect of the alleged activities could put her at risk, prompting her to take the threats seriously and consider her safety.

Musumba also claimed that being mentioned in the case affected her relationships with other people. She said some acquaintances became reluctant to contact or associate with her because they feared their own names could eventually appear in court records. She described the experience as a difficult period that affected her emotionally, physically and psychologically.

Her remarks come amid reports that she has left Uganda and could be pursuing an asylum application in an undisclosed country. However, Musumba has not publicly confirmed seeking asylum or revealed her current location. She had previously dismissed suggestions that she was preparing to go into exile, making the latest reports about her departure a subject of growing public interest.

During the discussion, Musumba urged people who believe they may be targeted to take their personal safety seriously, arguing that leaving a dangerous situation should not be viewed as weakness or shame. Drawing from her experience working with the Red Cross after 1986, she recalled helping people affected by conflict, displacement and insecurity, including efforts to trace missing family members and assist those forced to flee their homes.

Musumba further expressed concern about what she described as a departure from the constitutional ideals she had hoped Uganda would uphold when she served in the Constituent Assembly. She argued that the country had moved away from the vision of a society where people could disagree politically while enjoying freedom and security. She also called for stronger local systems to protect witnesses and people facing threats, while questioning whether international humanitarian organisations could always provide the protection needed.