Fr Ssekabira detention Uganda has sparked strong legal and human rights concerns. The Uganda Catholic Lawyers Society (UCLS) demands the immediate release or lawful prosecution of Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Masaka. In a statement dated December 14, 2025, UCLS condemned his arrest and ongoing detention as unconstitutional and a violation of fundamental rights.
According to UCLS, armed men abducted Fr. Ssekabira on December 3, 2025. They traveled in unmarked vehicles, carried no arrest warrant, showed no identification, and gave no reason for the arrest. Security operatives then held him incommunicado in an ungazetted detention facility and denied him contact with family, his diocese, or legal counsel.
“For ten days, the priest’s whereabouts remained hidden,” the statement reads. “This amounts to an enforced disappearance, which Uganda’s Constitution and international human rights law expressly prohibit.”
On December 13, Bishop Serverus Jjumba of Masaka informed the faithful about the disappearance and called for prayers. The next day, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) confirmed they held Fr. Ssekabira in military custody. They alleged he took part in “violent subversive activities” against the state.
However, UCLS argues that the UPDF’s acknowledgment of custody does not fix the illegality of the initial arrest. The lawyers say the arrest and detention violate multiple constitutional rights. These include the right to personal liberty, freedom from torture, access to a fair hearing, and the right to seek habeas corpus.
“The use of unmarked vehicles, unidentified agents, secret facilities, and delayed disclosure marks unconstitutional security practices,” the statement warns. “Such actions undermine the rule of law.”
UCLS also strongly criticized the UPDF for detaining a civilian. Ugandan law allows military custody of civilians only under very narrow exceptions. “Allegations of subversion do not suspend constitutional safeguards,” they said. “Security concerns cannot justify abduction, secrecy, or denial of due process.”
The society made several urgent appeals. First, they called on the UPDF to bring Fr. Ssekabira before a competent civilian court immediately. Second, they demanded that authorities grant him access to lawyers, family, and church officials. Third, they insisted the UPDF disclose the legal basis and conditions of his detention.
UCLS also urged the Director of Public Prosecutions to review the case without delay. He must either charge Fr. Ssekabira in a civilian court or order his immediate release. The lawyers further appealed to the Judiciary to protect personal liberty—especially by issuing habeas corpus orders when needed.
They asked the Uganda Human Rights Commission to investigate the circumstances of the arrest and detention. They also called on Parliament to exercise its oversight role over security agencies. Specifically, lawmakers must address the continued use of ungazetted detention centers.
“The abduction and secret detention of any Ugandan attacks more than an individual,” UCLS stated. “It assaults the Constitution and the rule of law. No citizen stands outside the protection of the law.”
As of press time, the UPDF had not formally responded to these demands. However, Col. Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information, said earlier that the UPDF held Fr. Ssekabira “in lawful custody to assist with further investigations.” He added they “will produce him in court and charge him accordingly.”
Yet Uganda’s 1995 Constitution sets a clear limit: authorities must charge or release any arrested person within 48 hours. Fr Ssekabira detention Uganda now exceeds that limit by more than two weeks—raising serious questions about legality, accountability, and civil liberties in the country.
For many Ugandans, this case tests whether constitutional protections apply equally to all citizens—clergy or civilian, accused or innocent.
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