Uganda faces fresh concerns over allegations abductions, threats and unlawful detentions against those criticizing President Yoweri Museveni and high-ranking military figures online.
Concerns have been raised about freedom of speech after accounts from a social media user, journalist and father of a missing teen.
Praise Aloikin Opoloje, who was arrested on 26 September 2026, was charged for allegedly “misusing” her mother’s SIM card. She appeared in the Buganga Road Chief Magistrate’s Court on 28 September where she denied the allegations under the Regulation of Interception of Communications Regulations (2024).
Opoloje believes she was arrested after a video where she claimed she was not afraid of General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, head of the military and the president’s son. She alleges that six men kidnapped and assaulted her after taking her to a police station in Kampala. She claims they threatened to sexually assault her and drove her to Entebbe.
It is unclear whether her allegations of kidnapping and mistreatment are true.
Opoloje was released on bail on 14 October with conditions that she cannot travel abroad without court permission. She said her mother and three-year-old daughter have been affected by her arrest. William Baliza, aged 17, was taken from his home by armed men, according to his father Emmanuel.
He alleges his son was taken after he said he would protest against police brutality and the country’s education system. William may be in a military detention centre in Kasenyi near Entebbe but Emmanuel said authorities denied he was in their care.
Journalist and human rights activist Andrew Tabandama Natumanya has also claimed he faced threats after reporting on a security operation targeting properties owned by former Parliament Speaker Anita Among. Andrew said he was kidnapped and assaulted by armed personnel on 17 June. He alleges they stripped him, took photos and told him not to report on any security issues.
He was detained for five days. His allegations are unverified. Steven Atukwatse, human rights lawyer with the Agora Research Center, said he had dealt with 12 cases involving social media users since November 2025.
Many involved people accused of criticizing Museveni or his son. Some suspects are being held for lengthy periods of time and are released without formal charges being dropped, he added.
However, army spokesperson Colonel Chris Magezi denied there were any unlawful kidnappings and said security agencies were operating within the law.
Suspects accused of violent crimes have been taken to court. Anyone making baseless allegations could face defamation charges, he added. The cases show increasing tensions around online speech, national security and accountability.
Whilst some individuals have been released on bail there are still concerns over where the missing teen is and allegations of mistreatment by security.
