KAMPALA, UGANDA – The Uganda Catholic Lawyers Society (UCLS) has urged state institutions to uphold the Constitution and restore due process following the alleged abduction and secret military detention of Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In a detailed public statement, the UCLS called upon every pillar of the state to fulfill its duty, affirming that military custody cannot replace lawful criminal process for civilians.
The Society has petitioned the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) to immediately produce Fr. Ssekabira before a competent civilian court, grant him unrestricted access to legal counsel and family, and disclose his place of detention.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is urged to urgently review the detention’s legality and either charge the priest lawfully or order his release.
The Judiciary is called upon to assert its constitutional role and provide oversight accordingly.
The call extends to oversight bodies, with the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) being urged to independently investigate the alleged abduction and detention, and Parliament to exercise its authority over security agencies regarding “ungazetted detention facilities.”
Highlighting a broad coalition for justice, the UCLS appealed to all religious and civil society institutions to stand in solidarity with the Diocese of Masaka and to speak without fear in defense of constitutionalism and human dignity.
The Society’s position is grounded in a clear legal framework, citing multiple violations of the 1995 Constitution, including the rights to personal liberty, a fair hearing, and freedom from torture.
The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) had earlier confirmed the detention of Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira, stating his arrest is lawful for allegedly assisting investigations into violent acts against the state.
Meanwhile, Bishop Serverus Jjumba decried the priest’s disappearance as a “grievous wound” after men in army uniforms took him in an unmarked van, calling for prayers and accountability.
Opposition leaders and human rights advocates have criticized the military’s involvement in civilian detention, raising constitutional concerns about due process and the timing ahead of the 2026 elections.
About the Author
