Bunyoro NUP Leaders Give Govt Two-Day Ultimatum to Produce Kidnapped Vianey Bashabe

The Bunyoro region National Unity Platform (NUP) leaders have issued a two-day ultimatum to security agencies and the government to produce Vianey Bashabe, a prominent NUP supporter known for designing NUP uniforms in Hoima.

If Bashabe is not released within the given time frame, the leaders have warned of a regional demonstration targeting all security offices, including that of the Resident City Commissioner, Badru Mugabi.

According to reports, unknown operatives in a “drone car” picked up Bashabe from his workshop in Hoima at night and transported him to an undisclosed location. It has been almost a week since Bashabe’s kidnapping, and his whereabouts remain unknown, even to his close family members.

Innocent Kiiza Mujuni, the Bunyoro region NUP coordinator, stated that Bashabe, commonly known as “Vianey,” was abducted by plainclothes armed men in a drone car from his workshop in Hoima. Bashabe was well-known in the region for designing NUP uniforms, and he was also active on social media, particularly TikTok, under the name “Vianey Media.”

“Bashabe is one of our supporters. He was simply doing his work designing uniforms for NUP while also running his own business. What crime did he commit? They came, took his sewing machine, removed several items from his home, and since last Thursday, March 6th, we have had no word from him,” Mujuni explained.

Geoffrey Byaruhanga, the NUP chairman for Hoima City, warned the government and security operatives to release Bashabe, stressing that the opposition in the region is growing stronger and will not tolerate intimidation.

“People think there is no opposition in Bunyoro, but we are many,” Byaruhanga said. “We are giving the government two days to produce our son and supporter. If not, they will see how strong we are. The opposition is steadily growing, and we want to send a message to NRM.”

Hannington Kasasa, the NUP Bunyoro region spokesperson, questioned the government’s commitment to peace and democracy, pointing out the hypocrisy in preaching democracy while cracking down on opposition supporters.

“Every time they speak of democracy, yet they arrest our people—what kind of peace are they preaching?” Kasasa said. “The person they kidnapped has a wife, children, and parents who still don’t know where he is. We demand his unconditional release within two days.”

When contacted, the Albertine Region Police spokesperson, Julius Hakiza, denied the allegations that Bashabe was arrested by the police but confirmed that he was detained by a sister security agency from Kampala.

“It was not the police in Hoima who arrested him,” Hakiza stated. “It wasn’t because he was with NUP but due to illegal acts. I’m not sure which agency arrested him, but I can confirm that he is in the custody of security in Kampala. Once I have confirmation from the agency, they will release the details.”