Uganda’s military has confirmed that it is holding a Catholic priest who had been reported missing for nearly two weeks, following growing pressure from the public and the Church over his disappearance.
In a statement dated 14 December, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) said Rev Fr Deusdedit Ssekabira of Masaka Diocese was in custody after being arrested by security agencies over alleged involvement in activities described as violent and subversive.
The army did not provide details of the accusations or say when the priest was detained, but said he would be presented in court and charged once investigations are complete.
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The confirmation comes after days of uncertainty and concern, during which Masaka Catholic Diocese said Fr Ssekabira had been forcibly taken on 3 December by men wearing military uniforms. According to the Church, the men were travelling in a van commonly associated with security operations.
Uganda’s constitution requires that anyone arrested be brought before a court within 48 hours — a provision that has frequently been cited in public debate over alleged unlawful detentions and disappearances.
In a letter dated 13 December, the Bishop of Masaka, Severus Jjumba, said Fr Ssekabira was seized at about 1:00pm from his office in Katwe, Masaka City. The priest serves as a curate at Bumagi Parish and is also the director of Uplift Primary School.
The bishop said repeated efforts to trace the priest through security agencies had failed, describing the incident as deeply distressing for the diocese, the wider Catholic community and the priest’s family. He announced special prayers across the diocese amid rising anxiety among worshippers.
The case has renewed scrutiny of Uganda’s security agencies, which have faced criticism from rights groups over alleged enforced disappearances and prolonged pre-trial detention, particularly as the country moves closer to the 2026 general elections.
After what he described as unsuccessful attempts to obtain information from authorities, Bishop Jjumba said the Church would pursue legal action.
Masaka Diocese’s lawyer, Alexander Lule, said instructions had been issued to file an application for habeas corpus, arguing that both the Church and the priest’s relatives had been unable to establish his whereabouts.
Police officials said they had not received a formal report of a missing person, while southern regional police spokesperson Twaha Kasirye urged the family or Church to open a case to allow investigations.
The UPDF statement, signed by the acting director of defence public information, Col Chris Magezi, is the first official confirmation by state security that Fr Ssekabira has been in custody since his disappearance earlier this month.
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