Buyaga West County Member of Parliament, Barnabas Tinkasiimire, has accused unidentified armed individuals of kidnapping and torturing him over his outspoken political views, particularly criticism directed at Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Tinkasiimire, who disappeared on Saturday and reappeared on Monday, claimed he was abducted by over 10 armed men—some in army uniform and others in civilian clothes—while waiting for campaign materials at a fuel station in Makerere, Kampala. According to him, the assailants beat, blindfolded, and handcuffed him before forcing him into a van and detaining him in what appeared to be an abandoned kitchen.
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During captivity, the MP alleges he was physically assaulted and interrogated about his recent remarks concerning Gen Muhoozi, President Museveni’s son. He said his captors accused him of speaking too freely, warning that his opinions negatively impacted their interests. They reportedly demanded that he stop criticising the CDF and pledged to arrange a meeting between the two.
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) denied knowledge of the incident, with Deputy Defence Spokesperson Maj Bilal Katamba saying he had no information on the matter.
The legislator was eventually released in the early hours of Sunday morning and dropped off in Namungoona, a Kampala suburb, with Shs10,000 for transport. Tinkasiimire sustained injuries and is receiving medical care. He also stated that his wife had reported the incident, and he plans to pursue legal redress through the Uganda Human Rights Commission and Constitutional Court, despite doubts about whether his case will be properly investigated.
Tinkasiimire’s account comes amid growing concerns over politically motivated abductions, which have increasingly targeted both opposition figures and ruling party members critical of the current political and military leadership. He vowed to continue speaking out, asserting that no amount of intimidation would silence his advocacy for democracy and constitutional rights.
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