Former Besigye aide Sam Mugumya has been abducted from Mbarara Hotel by armed men, a few years after he was released from detention in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda’s western neighbour.
According to his friend Moses Byamugisha, Sam Mugumya was picked from NIM Hotel in Nyamitanga, Mbarara City on the morning of August 26, 2025.
He was taking breakfast when armed men abducted him and drove off, Byamugisha further noted.
“Comrade Mugumya Sam has been arrested while having breakfast at NIM Hotel in Nyamitanga Mbarara,” wrote Byamugisha.
“He was picked up by uniformed military personnel and others in plain cloth while moving in a drone. He is expected to be brought to Kampala to one of the detention centers around.”
Byamugisha has recently been mobilizing for the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) in Kigezi and was eyeing the Rukungiri Municipality parliamentary seat.
Ugandans have been reacting to the news of Sam Mugumya’s abduction:
“Sam Mugumya has been arrested again! Will he ever feel like Uganda is home to him? This guy spent about ten years in one of the worst and deplorable prisons in DRC…” Sudhir Byaruhanga
“I have a lot of respect for Sam Mugumya right from these days [of walk-to-work]. A courageous and fearless activist! I am saddened to learn that he’s been abducted in Mbarara today, especially after what he endured in Congolese prisons!” Patrick Kanyomozi.
“A regime that profits in the suffering of others! Just learnt that comrade Sam Mugumya has been abducted by plain clothed men. Government of Uganda, is this the country you wish us to live in?” Charles Lwanga.
Mbarara city’s hotels are increasingly becoming unsafe for opposition activists. Months ago, a mobilizer of Bobi Wine’s NUP party was abducted from a hotel by armed men, while another activist died after missing a step at a hotel’s staircase weeks ago. (See Details Here and There).
Mugumya’s former boss Dr Kizza Besigye is currently facing treason charges following his abduction from Nairobi last year. Besigye is accused of trying to forcefully remove President Yoweri Museveni and of endangering the president’s life.
The state claims, reportedly in leaked audios, that Besigye was negotiating a deal to secure arms to remove Museveni. A former bush war comrade of Besigye’s has urged him to beg Museveni for forgiveness and be freed. (See Details Here and There).
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