By Ben Musanje
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has condemned the alleged abduction of political analyst and strategist Ronald Leonard Egesa, the Chief Executive Officer of Magezi Harvest Ltd, who was reportedly seized by armed men in plain clothes from the Radio One premises on Saturday evening.
In a statement issued by ULS President and Head of the Bar, Isaac K. Ssemakadde, SC, the Society said Egesa was forcibly taken away in a white, unmarked van commonly referred to as a “drone”. His whereabouts remain unknown.
According to the statement, the incident occurred in the Radio One parking area while Egesa was participating in a talk show on Akaboozi FM alongside presenters Jude Bukenya, Harold Kaija and Henry Lubowa.
The Law Society said it had obtained what it described as verified surveillance footage from the media house premises documenting the incident. It announced its decision to make the footage public in the hope that members of the public could provide information to help identify those responsible.
ULS described the incident as an abduction and enforced disappearance, arguing that it did not constitute a lawful arrest. It said the alleged actions violated Uganda’s constitutional protections and legal obligations under domestic and international human rights instruments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The Society also raised concerns over what it described as a growing pattern of security operatives using unmarked vehicles and plainclothes personnel to seize individuals, particularly those engaged in public commentary, without warrants, judicial oversight or disclosure of their whereabouts.
It attributed the alleged pattern to partisan security operations and accused elements within the military of targeting individuals for their public views. However, the allegations have not been independently established.
ULS further disclosed that Egesa serves as its lead consultant on technology and cybersecurity and is a known public commentator. According to Ssemakadde, Egesa had previously reported threats against his life allegedly linked to individuals associated with the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU).
The Society said his reported seizure from a radio station during a broadcast raised serious concerns about media independence, freedom of expression and the public’s right to access information.
Law Society issues four demands
The Uganda Law Society has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Egesa, alongside full disclosure of his whereabouts and physical condition.
It has also demanded that the Uganda Police Force and all security agencies account for the operation, identify those involved and investigate the incident as a criminal abduction rather than treating it as an official security action.
The Society further called for an end to the use of unmarked vehicles and plainclothes operatives to seize individuals from media premises, public spaces and private residences without following due legal procedures.
It also urged authorities to ensure that media houses are protected from intimidation and unlawful interference as they carry out their work.
ULS called on the Uganda Media Centre, Uganda Communications Commission, human rights organisations and the international community to treat the incident as an alleged enforced disappearance and press for accountability.
The statement was signed by Ssemakadde, who reiterated the Society’s demand for Egesa’s immediate release and accountability for those responsible.
As of the issuance of the statement, Egesa’s whereabouts remained unknown.
Political Analyst Egesa Abducted from Radio One as Uganda Law Society Demands His Immediate and Unconditional Release
By Ben Musanje
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has condemned the alleged abduction of political analyst and strategist Ronald Leonard Egesa, the Chief Executive Officer of Magezi Harvest Ltd, who was reportedly seized by armed men in plain clothes from the Radio One premises on Saturday evening.
In a statement issued by ULS President and Head of the Bar, Isaac K. Ssemakadde, SC, the Society said Egesa was forcibly taken away in a white, unmarked van commonly referred to as a “drone”. His whereabouts remain unknown.
According to the statement, the incident occurred in the Radio One parking area while Egesa was participating in a talk show on Akaboozi FM alongside presenters Jude Bukenya, Harold Kaija and Henry Lubowa.
The Law Society said it had obtained what it described as verified surveillance footage from the media house premises documenting the incident. It announced its decision to make the footage public in the hope that members of the public could provide information to help identify those responsible.
ULS described the incident as an abduction and enforced disappearance, arguing that it did not constitute a lawful arrest. It said the alleged actions violated Uganda’s constitutional protections and legal obligations under domestic and international human rights instruments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The Society also raised concerns over what it described as a growing pattern of security operatives using unmarked vehicles and plainclothes personnel to seize individuals, particularly those engaged in public commentary, without warrants, judicial oversight or disclosure of their whereabouts.
It attributed the alleged pattern to partisan security operations and accused elements within the military of targeting individuals for their public views. However, the allegations have not been independently established.
ULS further disclosed that Egesa serves as its lead consultant on technology and cybersecurity and is a known public commentator. According to Ssemakadde, Egesa had previously reported threats against his life allegedly linked to individuals associated with the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU).
The Society said his reported seizure from a radio station during a broadcast raised serious concerns about media independence, freedom of expression and the public’s right to access information.
Law Society issues four demands
The Uganda Law Society has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Egesa, alongside full disclosure of his whereabouts and physical condition.
It has also demanded that the Uganda Police Force and all security agencies account for the operation, identify those involved and investigate the incident as a criminal abduction rather than treating it as an official security action.
The Society further called for an end to the use of unmarked vehicles and plainclothes operatives to seize individuals from media premises, public spaces and private residences without following due legal procedures.
It also urged authorities to ensure that media houses are protected from intimidation and unlawful interference as they carry out their work.
ULS called on the Uganda Media Centre, Uganda Communications Commission, human rights organisations and the international community to treat the incident as an alleged enforced disappearance and press for accountability.
The statement was signed by Ssemakadde, who reiterated the Society’s demand for Egesa’s immediate release and accountability for those responsible. As of the issuance of the statement, Egesa’s whereabouts remained unknown. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
