NUP's Waiswa Mufumbiro, Saudah Madaada remanded to prison

The Kawempe Chief Magistrates Court has charged National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy Spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro and his co-accused, Sauda Madaada, with unlawful drilling, conspiracy to commit a felony, and other related offences. The charges come just a day after NUP reported that Mufumbiro had been abducted outside Kawempe Magistrates Court by armed men travelling in a Toyota Noah, registration number UAK 368K. According to the party, the abduction occurred shortly after he had attended a court session for fellow NUP members Eddie Mutwe, Achileo Kivumbi, and Tasi Calvin, also known as Bobi Giant. “Just a few minutes back at the Kawempe Magistrates Court, our Deputy Spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro has been abducted by armed gunmen… The impunity continues!” NUP said in a statement issued Monday. Although authorities have not commented on the alleged abduction, Mufumbiro was produced in court on Tuesday to face fresh charges alongside Madaada. Prosecution claims the two engaged in unlawful drilling activities without the necessary permits and conspired to commit related offences in violation of Uganda’s laws. Both accused denied the charges, and their lawyers applied for bail, arguing that the pair are responsible citizens being unfairly targeted. The court, however, remanded them to Luzira Prison pending a ruling on their bail application later this month. The dramatic turn of events has reignited accusations by NUP that security agencies are using abductions and politically motivated charges to silence opposition voices. Mufumbiro, a fierce critic of government policies, has repeatedly decried what he calls systematic persecution of opposition leaders and activists. The duo had been remanded to prison until September 29.