Human rights activist and lawyer Aloikin Praise Opoloje was taken away by armed men from Namungoona police station in Uganda on Saturday. Her friend, Raus Ninsima, said Opoloje had gone to the station to respond to a carpet theft complaint that she denied. According to Ninsima, Opoloje had collected a carpet from a car-washing and carpet-cleaning business near her home and was later contacted by the business, claiming the carpet belonged to another woman.
The incident began with a dispute over the carpet's ownership. Ninsima said they took photographs and videos of the carpet and sent them to the washer, asking him to share them with the woman so that she could compare them with her own. However, the photographs were reportedly never opened. The woman later called Opoloje directly and, when asked to describe her carpet, allegedly gave details that did not match the one in Opoloje's possession.
Opoloje received a call from Namungoona police station at about 6:30 pm, informing her that a carpet theft complaint had been lodged against her and asking her to report to the station. Ninsima said they asked for directions and went to the station near Namungoona Orthodox Church, carrying the disputed carpet. However, upon arrival, the circumstances changed, and they were told to go to another room.
Inside the room, a man in a maroon shirt was waiting and told them that security operatives had been tracking Opoloje and that she was going to be taken to Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Ninsima said Opoloje began taking photographs of the man with her phone after suspecting that the carpet complaint was not the reason she had been summoned. An army officer emerged and attempted to stop Opoloje from recording, leading to a scuffle.
Officers in army-green uniforms subsequently called in other operatives dressed in plain clothes. Outside the station, a van with a registration number UA875AG was parked near the entrance with its engine running. Ninsima said the operatives dragged and pushed Opoloje inside and disappeared. When she tried to intervene, she was put at gunpoint and later asked to leave the police station.
The reported incident has drawn concern from lawyers and human rights activists, with the Uganda Law Society demanding Opoloje's immediate release and authorities accounting for her whereabouts. As of Sunday, neither police nor defence authorities had publicly confirmed where she was being held, her legal status or any charges against her.
Opoloje's disappearance came shortly after she criticised Muhoozi in a video, while noting that police and security agencies had not confirmed her location, detention or any charges against her. The World Liberty Congress, which described Opoloje as one of its members, called for clarification from Ugandan authorities.
Key points
- The Uganda Law Society has demanded Opoloje's immediate release.
- Opoloje was taken away by armed men from Namungoona police station.
- The incident has triggered concern among lawyers and human rights activists.
