Uganda’s military on Sunday acknowledged holding a Catholic priest reported missing for nearly two weeks, after public and church pressure grew, in a case that has yet again raised questions over pre-trial detention and contradicts the Church’s account of his disappearance.
In statement dated December 14, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) said Rev Fr Deusdedit Ssekabira of Masaka Diocese was “recently arrested by the security forces for involvement in violent subversive activities against the state and is currently in lawful custody to assist investigations.”
The brief Sunday military statement did not specify the nature of the alleged subversive activities or the date of arrest.
However, the army emphasized that the priest will be produced in court and charged accordingly.
The confirmation follows days of uncertainty after Masaka Catholic Diocese alleged that the priest was kidnapped on December 3 by men in army uniform travelling in a van commonly known as a “drone,” amid mounting concern over his whereabouts.
Uganda’s Constitution states that a person arrested must be brought before a court of law within 48 hours, a provision that has increasingly become central to public debate surrounding the disappearance.
In a letter dated December 13, Masaka Bishop Severus Jjumba said Fr Ssekabira, a curate at Bumagi Parish and director of Uplift Primary School, was seized at around 1:00 p.m. from his office in Katwe, Masaka City.
“Rev Fr Deusdedit Ssekabira… was kidnapped by men in Uganda Army uniform,” the bishop wrote, saying all efforts to locate him had been unsuccessful.
Bishop Jjumba described the incident as “a grievous wound inflicted on Masaka Diocese, the entire Catholic Church, and Fr Ssekabira’s family,” and ordered days of special prayers as anxiety spread among clergy and faithful.
Ugandan authorities have increasingly come under scrutiny for alleged Amin-style enforced disappearances and prolonged detentions without trial, particularly as the country heads toward next year’s consequential general election.
After what he said were fruitless attempts to establish the priest’s whereabouts through security agencies, the bishop announced plans to pursue legal action.
Masaka diocesan lawyer Alexander Lule said the Church had instructed lawyers to file an application for habeas corpus.
“We have tried, us, the church, and the family members have tried almost all of the security organs… trying to find out where he is or whether they have him in their custody. But they have denied everything,” Lule said.
Police said they had not yet received a formal missing-person complaint.
Southern regional police spokesperson Twaha Kasirye urged the Church or family to register a case to enable investigations.
The Sunday UPDF statement, signed by Acting Director of Defence Public Information Col Chris Magezi, marks the first official acknowledgment by state security of Fr Ssekabira’s detention since his disappearance earlier this month.
