The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has responded to renewed concerns from the National Unity Platform (NUP) over the fate of John Bosco Kibalama, a supporter the opposition party claims was abducted several years ago and remains missing.
Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye, the UPDF spokesperson, said on Monday that the claims were misleading and maintained that Kibalama is not in government custody.
He insisted that Kibalama is alive and currently outside the country.
“It had become a big topic when people were demanding that we produce Kibalama,” Maj. Gen. Kulayigye said.
“I can tell you from a reliable source that Kibalama is out of the country.”
For years, NUP leaders and human rights activists have accused security agencies of enforced disappearances targeting opposition supporters.
Kibalama’s case has frequently been cited as an example of individuals allegedly abducted and detained incommunicado by state forces.
Security agencies, however, have consistently denied such accusations, often attributing disappearances to personal circumstances, voluntary migration, or other non-political reasons.
NUP is yet to formally respond to the UPDF’s latest remarks, but the party has previously argued that government denials only deepen the anguish of families who remain without answers about their missing relatives.
The issue of missing persons continues to stir political tensions in Uganda, with civil society organisations urging authorities to conduct transparent investigations and provide the public with clear information.
