The family of Christopher Gody, alias King Zale, a musician who went missing 171 days ago, has renewed calls for his release or production in court. They identified him in video footage released by Lt Herbert Matanda Mabonga, a former intelligence officer. The family recognised Zale towards the end of one of the clips, which Mabonga claimed were recorded inside a military safe house in Abayita Ababiri, Entebbe.
King Zale was abducted on April 21, 2026, near the Firebase Crew offices in Kamwokya, Kampala, by armed men suspected to be security operatives. His wife, Lilian Nakiwala, reported that some of the men wore Special Forces Command and Uganda People’s Defence Forces uniforms, while others were in civilian clothes. The family has received no information about Zale’s whereabouts or any charges against him.
Mabonga released video clips that appeared to show opposition figures in detention. One of the clips showed Sam Mugumya, a former aide to opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye, struggling to walk around a compound. Nakiwala watched the footage several times before recognising her husband towards the end of one of the videos. She confirmed his identity by his feet, which are visibly identifiable.
The family had earlier petitioned the High Court, seeking an order compelling the authorities to produce Zale in court through a habeas corpus application. However, the court dismissed the application after all respondents denied having him in their custody. Nakiwala expressed concern about Zale’s prolonged disappearance and the lack of information about his detention.
King Zale’s disappearance has caused distress to his family, particularly his mother, Joyce Aduba. As the sole breadwinner, his absence has left the family struggling to sustain themselves. Nakiwala visits other political prisoners in Luzira and wishes her husband was also in a known prison. The family fears Zale could suffer the same fate as John Bosco Kibalama, a National Unity Platform supporter who disappeared in 2019.
The UPDF has described Mabonga as a deserter and distanced itself from the footage he released. Police have advised families of missing persons to report cases to the nearest police station to facilitate investigations. Security agencies have not publicly confirmed Zale’s whereabouts, maintaining that he is not in their custody.
The family’s ordeal continues as they seek answers about King Zale’s disappearance. His wife and mother are distressed, and the family is struggling to cope with the loss of their breadwinner. The situation remains uncertain, with no official confirmation of Zale’s detention or whereabouts.
Key points
- The family of King Zale has identified him in leaked video footage released by former intelligence officer Lt Herbert Matanda Mabonga.
- King Zale was abducted 171 days ago by armed men suspected to be security operatives.
- The family is seeking answers about Zale’s disappearance and detention, but security agencies have not publicly confirmed his whereabouts.
