The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has denied allegations that it abducted or illegally detained Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi Muhammad, telling the High Court in Kampala that the legislator has never been in its custody at any time.
In an affidavit filed before the Civil Division of the High Court, Lt Col Edgar Musasizi, who serves as the Director Civil Affairs at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Headquarters, said the claims against the UPDF are not supported by evidence.
The affidavit was filed in response to an application for a writ of habeas corpus, where the applicant asked the court to order that Muwanga Kivumbi be produced before court to explain his alleged detention.
Lt Col Musasizi stated that he had reviewed the affidavit supporting the application but denied the allegations made against the UPDF. He said the applicant had failed to provide proof showing that officers of the army were involved in the alleged disappearance or detention.
“I categorically deny that officers of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces abducted or unlawfully detained the Applicant as alleged,” Lt Col Musasizi stated in the affidavit.
He further questioned how the applicant reached the conclusion that the people allegedly involved were UPDF officers, arguing that no evidence had been presented linking the army to the incident.
The UPDF officer said the allegations were aimed at damaging the reputation of the force and insisted that those making the accusations should provide evidence to support their claims.
Lt Col Musasizi also told court that he personally checked with all gazetted detention facilities under the control of the UPDF and confirmed that Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi was not being held there and had never been in UPDF custody.
According to the affidavit, there is no documentary, witness, or other evidence proving that the 1st Respondent, the Chief of Defence Forces, has the applicant under his control.
The UPDF argued that a writ of habeas corpus can only be granted where there is credible evidence that a person is being unlawfully detained by the party accused of holding them. It maintained that the current application does not meet that requirement.
Lt Col Musasizi described the case as “misconceived, devoid of merit and an abuse of the process of court,” asking the High Court to dismiss the application with costs.
The affidavit was sworn on July 24, 2026, at Kampala and filed by the Attorney General’s Chambers on behalf of the 1st Respondent. The matter remains before the High Court for determination.
