Activist Marunga on the run over Police Hunt, accused of Involvement in Subversive Activities

Security agencies in Uganda are reportedly hunting for a National Unity Platform (NUP) renowned activist Hilda Marunga on allegations of involvement in subversion against the government.

Marunga, who was first arrested in the early 2021 by security forces in Uganda’s Capital Kampala along with several other activists for protesting the Internet shutdown, is again actively being investigated on all cases that are related to subversive behavior, conduct, activities.

Following the alleged torture at Najjera Police Station where she was released on a Police bond, Marunga has been living under fear and reportedly trailed by unknown men suspected to be state agents until she reportedly disappeared for fear of her life.

Other missing persons and reported to be NUP supporters are;Moses Mbabazi, Dennis Zzimula, Shafik Wangolo, Martin Lukwago, Peter Kirya, John Ddamulira, Michael Semuddu, Muhammada Kanatta, John Bosco Kibalama, Vincent Nalumoso, Yuda Ssempijja, Musisi Mboowa, Mustafa Luwemba , Hassan Mubiru, Isma Ssesaazi, Godfrey Kisembo, George Kasumba, Joseph Baguma  and their families have been in excruciating pain ever since.

Recently, over 100 youths were arrested for allegedly participating in a march to parliament against corruption. Uganda’s President Museveni however said that some of the authors and participants in the demonstrations were planning very bad things against Uganda and accused foreign elements of influencing the process.

President Museveni’s government has for several years been accused of increasing pressure on activists and NGOs, blaming some of them for reportedly backing the opposition.

In recent years, Ugandan authorities have used both formal and informal means to restrict the work of rights organizations and activists. In 2020, it banned groups from doing election-related work ahead of the January 2021 general elections and, on election day, arrested more than 20 people for running a “parallel vote tallying center.”

In 2021, the government indefinitely suspended the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF), a European Union fund for nongovernmental groups, saying the government did not have oversight over it. The authorities have also failed to investigate a string of burglaries and attacks on the offices of human rights organizations.

There have been widespread reports of alleged kidnappings and murders of opposition supporters since the Jan. 14 elections which the incumbent President Yoweri Museveni 76, won with 58.64% against Kyagulanyi’s 34.83%.

NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya said that people had begun to disappear on Nov. 18, the start of two days of protests. Rubongoya said the NUP’s estimate was based on reports from relatives or friends of people who had gone missing since Nov. 18. Most of the disappearances were in central Uganda, where Wine has strong support, but people also vanished in other areas.

The whereabouts of hundreds others arrested under similar circumstances remain unknown. Government has on several occasions denied holding some missing NUP supporters.