Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi has used a special parliamentary sitting held to honour the late Gen Moses Ali to call on President Yoweri Museveni to address concerns over alleged abductions, illegal detention facilities and violations of citizens’ rights.
Ssenyonyi made the remarks on Monday while paying tribute to Gen Moses Ali, the former Second Deputy Prime Minister and longtime Adjumani West Member of Parliament, during a special sitting attended by President Museveni and other senior government officials.
While welcoming the President to Parliament, Ssenyonyi urged him, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to ensure that all security agencies operate within the limits of the law and respect constitutional rights.
The opposition leader said honouring Gen Moses Ali’s legacy should go beyond words and should involve strengthening the rule of law and ensuring that state institutions protect the rights of Ugandans.
“We welcome the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces who joined us earlier for this tribute session. I would like to urge him to prevail over the various security entities to observe and respect the law as they do their work,” Ssenyonyi said.
He reminded Parliament that the 1995 Constitution, which was enacted during the NRM government, remains the supreme law of the country and must be respected by all government agencies.
Ssenyonyi argued that Gen Moses Ali’s life demonstrated the importance of reconciliation and respect for institutions, noting that the late leader moved from armed rebellion into national service and later contributed to government.
According to Ssenyonyi, anyone suspected of committing an offence has the right to be investigated and prosecuted, but such processes must follow the procedures established by law.
He emphasized that arrests should be conducted legally, suspects should be held in recognised detention facilities and should be brought before court within the required 48-hour period.
The opposition leader then raised concerns over what he described as a growing pattern where some Ugandans are allegedly arrested by security operatives and kept away from public view for long periods without access to family members or lawyers.
“Lately, people are abducted and taken for days, weeks and even months, sometimes they are tortured, their family does not know their whereabouts, and they are not produced in court. This is not right, and we must collectively condemn it,” Ssenyonyi said.
His comments come amid ongoing concerns raised by opposition politicians, especially members of the National Unity Platform, over the whereabouts and treatment of some of their members.
One of the cases highlighted by NUP is that of Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, the party’s deputy president for Buganda Region and former Butambala County MP.
NUP leaders have alleged that Kivumbi was rearrested by armed security personnel in Mpigi District shortly after he was granted bail in a treason-related case.
The party has further claimed that Kivumbi was tortured while in detention, allegations that security agencies have not publicly confirmed or responded to.
NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, previously raised concerns over Kivumbi’s safety, saying the party had received reports that he was being held at Kasenyi Special Forces Command barracks.
However, authorities have maintained that investigations are ongoing, while the High Court has since ordered security agencies to establish Kivumbi’s whereabouts and provide a report.
During his tribute, Ssenyonyi also praised Gen Moses Ali for his decades of public service, describing him as a leader whose political journey crossed different chapters of Uganda’s history.
He acknowledged that although he served in the opposition while Gen Moses Ali was part of the NRM government, he respected the late leader’s contribution to the country.
Ssenyonyi said public service requires sacrifice, resilience and commitment, qualities he said Gen Moses Ali demonstrated throughout his long career in the military, government and Parliament.
He noted that political differences should not prevent leaders from recognising the positive contributions of individuals who have served the nation.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja also paid tribute to Gen Moses Ali, describing him as a dedicated public servant who contributed to Uganda’s stability, unity and development.
The sitting ended with renewed discussions about the late General’s legacy, but Ssenyonyi’s remarks ensured that issues of human rights, constitutionalism and the conduct of security agencies remained at the centre of the national conversation.
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