By Paschal Norbert
KAMPALA, DECEMBER 16, 2025 (CISA) – The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have confirmed that they are holding a Catholic priest who disappeared nearly two weeks ago, alleging his involvement in what the military describes as “violent subversive activities against the state,” a development that has intensified public concern as the country heads toward general elections next month.
In a brief statement issued on December 14, the UPDF said Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira of the Catholic Diocese of Masaka was arrested by security forces and is currently in “lawful custody” to assist with investigations. The army added that the priest would be produced in court and charged accordingly.
“This is to confirm that Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira of Masaka Diocese was recently arrested by the security forces for involvement in violent subversive activities against the state. Rev. Fr. Ssekabira is currently in lawful custody to assist with further investigations into the matter. He will be produced in the courts of law and charged accordingly,” the UPDF said in a statement posted on its website.
The confirmation follows nearly two weeks of uncertainty surrounding the priest’s whereabouts. Fr. Ssekabira was reported missing on December 3, 2025, prompting the Catholic Diocese of Masaka to raise alarm over what it described as his abduction by “men in Uganda Army uniform” while he was traveling through Masaka City.
For days, Church leaders and members of the public demanded answers from security agencies, expressing growing anxiety over the priest’s safety. In a statement issued during the period of uncertainty, the Bishop of Masaka, Rt. Rev. Serverus Jjumba, described the incident as “a grievous wound inflicted on Masaka Diocese, the entire Catholic Church, and Father Ssekabira’s family.”
“Our lawyers are still doing whatever is within our means to get back our priest unharmed,” Bishop Jjumba said, as prayers and appeals for his release intensified across the diocese.
The Catholic Diocese of Masaka has not yet formally responded to the allegations made by the military against Fr. Ssekabira. The UPDF statement did not provide details on the specific acts the priest is accused of, nor did it present evidence to support the claims.
Meanwhile, the Uganda Police Force said it had begun investigating reports surrounding the priest’s disappearance. In a message posted on December 14 on X, formerly Twitter, police said they were verifying information circulating on social media and would issue an update once more details were established.
The detention of Fr. Ssekabira has quickly become a flashpoint in Uganda’s tense political climate as the country prepares for General Elections scheduled for January 15, 2026. President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, is seeking another term, amid heightened scrutiny from local and international human rights organizations.
Uganda has in recent years faced sustained criticism over alleged enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and prolonged detention of government critics, particularly during election periods. The case of the Masaka priest has reignited those concerns, drawing condemnation from opposition leaders and civil society actors.
Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, criticized the military’s involvement in detaining civilians, saying the armed forces have no mandate to hold non-combatants. Writing on X, he described Fr. Ssekabira’s arrest as part of a broader pattern of repression.
“The armed forces have no place detaining civilians,” Kyagulanyi said, adding that the priest’s disappearance mirrored the experiences of many opposition supporters who, he claimed, have been targeted by security agencies.
“It is what Museveni has turned Uganda into,” he added.
As calls for transparency and due process grow louder, human rights groups and Church leaders continue to demand that authorities respect the rule of law, clarify the charges against Fr. Ssekabira, and ensure his safety and access to legal representation as Uganda enters a critical electoral period.
