KAMPALA– High Court Judge Collins Acellam has ordered the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) , Directorate of Intelligence and Security and the Attorney General, to produce politician Sam Mugumya who was illegally arrested and said to be under detention in one of the UPDF Facilities.
In his ruling delivered on Friday, Acellam noted that since the matter was brought before him, it was reported that some body was missing after being arrested by security operatives but there was no proof that he was charged before Courts of law and remanded into lawful custody.
“I find it imperative that his personal liberty is preserved and protected by any means possible. From the foregoing, this application is hereby granted and an order of a writ of habeas corpus ad subjiciendum is hereby issued directing the Respondents to produce the Applicant within 7 days before a competent court from the date of this ruling.” Ruled Court
In the affidavit filed with Mugumya’s application where CDF was the 1st Respondent followed by Directorate of Intelligence and Security (2nd respondent) and the Attorney General (3rd Respondent), Court heard that Mugumya was arrested by the respondents’ military operatives on Monday 26th August 2025 from Mbarara, Uganda and is currently detained at Mbuya, Kampala in the respondent’s military detention facility manned by the 2nd respondent.
“That the 1″ Respondent is the head of Uganda’s military and the 2nd respondent heads the intelligence security agency in Uganda. He adds that the respondent’s detention of the Applicant in a military facility at Mbuya is illegal, arbitrary and a blatant abuse of f his fundamental rights.” Reads part of the supporting affidavit
He concluded that its lawful, just and equitable that all reliefs
sought be granted.
In response, Lt Col Edgar Musasizi, an officer of the UPDF currently serving as the Director Civil Affairs at the Ministry of defence opposed the Application terming it as misconceived and devoid of merit as the allegations are unfounded.
He added that he personally cross-checked with all the gazetted detention facilities under the control of the respondents and confirmed that the Applicant is not and has never been in the custody of any of the respondents at any material time.
He concluded that the Application before court was frivolous
and calculated to tarnish the reputation of the Respondents rather than vindicate any genuine
infringement of the Applicant’s rights.
