Concerns over the continued detention of Sam Mugumya have intensified after his lawyers returned to court seeking his immediate production or release, saying he has now spent 377 days in military custody without being charged or brought before a civilian court.
According to information provided by his legal team, Mugumya was allegedly abducted by armed State operatives in Mbarara on August 26, 2025. He has since been held incommunicado at a military facility, where his lawyers say he has been denied access to his family, lawyers and a doctor of his choice.
The lawyers argue that the prolonged detention violates Uganda’s Constitution, which provides safeguards for people who are arrested and detained. They particularly point to the constitutional requirement that a person arrested should be brought before a court within 48 hours.
The case has attracted renewed attention following the circulation of a leaked video allegedly showing Mugumya in a severely weakened condition. In the footage, he appears emaciated and reportedly struggles to walk without assistance.
His lawyers have described the images as evidence of possible torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. They have cited Articles 24 and 44(a) of the 1995 Constitution, which protect people from torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
The lawyers further claim that Mugumya has been detained at the Special Forces Command (SFC) facility in Kasenyi, a military installation which they say is not gazetted for holding civilian detainees. They say their position is supported by eyewitnesses who were allegedly detained at the same facility alongside Mugumya.
The controversy surrounding his detention deepened after reports that SFC officers, including the commander, were reshuffled following the emergence of the video. Mugumya’s lawyers argue that changing personnel does not address the central issue of his continued detention.
They maintain that what is required is for the authorities to produce Mugumya before court, charge him if there is a case against him, or release him.
The lawyers also say that a previous court order requiring Mugumya to be produced was not complied with. They argue that ignoring such an order undermines the authority of the judiciary and amounts to contempt of court.
Seeking his release, Mugumya’s lawyers at KMA Attorneys have filed Miscellaneous Cause No. 0208 of 2026 before the High Court Civil Division. The matter is scheduled to come up for hearing on September 15, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., before Justice Peter Kinobe.
The case is expected to place the legality of Mugumya’s continued detention under fresh judicial scrutiny, particularly the claims that he has been held for more than a year without being charged or presented before a court.
For his lawyers and supporters, the central demand remains simple: the authorities should produce Sam Mugumya before a competent court and explain the legal basis for his detention, or release him.
The case has also renewed wider concerns among human rights advocates about alleged abductions, prolonged detention and the treatment of suspects in Uganda.
As the September 15 hearing approaches, attention will now turn to the High Court and whether it will order the authorities to account for Mugumya’s whereabouts, condition and continued detention.
#StopAbductionsUg #BringBackOurPeople
