The Nakawa Court drone abduction of two individuals triggered chaos on Wednesday following a treason hearing involving opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye. Plain-clothed operatives stormed the crowd, grabbed the suspects, and forced them into a white drone van, sparking immediate outrage.
As attendees exited the courthouse, several operatives in civilian clothes rushed in and seized the two men. They shoved them into a waiting van parked across the road. The notorious white drone, often linked to covert arrests, sped away toward the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) compound.
Supporters reacted with alarm. They shouted for help, and one protester even punched an operative. This sudden resistance prompted Joint Anti-Terrorism (JAT) officers, arriving in a double-cabin truck, to intervene and secure the van’s escape.
Although Counter-Terrorism officers at the court attempted to follow, they quickly lost track of the vehicle in traffic.
Shortly after the incident, Harold Kaija, Secretary General of the Patriotic Front for Freedom (PFF), identified one of the abducted men as Umar Katongole, a Councilor from Kira Division. According to eyewitnesses, Katongole had earlier clashed with a suspected government agent during a courtroom disturbance.
Before the session began, Besigye’s supporters had confronted a man seen secretly taking photographs of the audience. Believing he was a spy, they ejected him from the room. The situation escalated further as the crowd began singing protest songs.
They chanted slogans directly targeting President Yoweri Museveni and his son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. One bold chant declared, “One day Museveni and his son will die, and for us, we will reign.” These actions likely intensified security concerns and provoked the swift crackdown.
Eron Kiiza, a prominent human rights lawyer, strongly condemned the abduction. He said, “Courts should serve as havens of justice—not ambush points. Such arrests deter citizens from seeking justice and corrode public trust in the legal system.”
Drone vans have become symbols of fear in Uganda. Authorities frequently use them to execute unmarked arrests, mostly targeting political dissenters. Despite court orders and widespread condemnation, the practice continues unchecked.
The Nakawa Court drone abduction reflects a deeper crisis. While activists demand rule of law and transparency, security agencies operate with increasing impunity. Without intervention, Uganda’s courts risk becoming battlegrounds instead of sanctuaries for justice.
