Nyendo-Mukungwe Parliamentary candidate Lubowa Ssebina Gyaviira of the National Unity Platform (NUP) has reportedly been abducted by unidentified armed in Masaka and taken to an unknown location.
According to eyewitness accounts, Lubowa was arrested at the Masaka City Resident District Commissioner’s (RDC) office shortly after attending a security meeting with local leaders, including Masaka City Mayor Florence Namayanja and security officials.
“He had just finished a meeting with the Mayor, the RDC, and the DISO to discuss the recent arrest of 13 of his campaign agents,” one of Lubowa’s personal assistants told this website.
He was reportedly forced into a blue Toyota Spacio with registration number UBK 256G and driven away to an undisclosed location.
The incident follows a string of clashes between Lubowa’s campaign and security agencies. On May 4, 2025, a football tournament organized by his team at Nyendo-Kasana grounds was violently dispersed by police and UPDF personnel, who fired live bullets and tear gas. Authorities claimed the event had not received proper clearance.
Thirteen of Lubowa’s campaign agents were arrested during that operation and have since remained in custody. They were charged before the Masaka Magistrates Court with aggravated robbery and causing grievous harm to a police officer and remanded to Masaka Prison.
Lubowa’s abduction occurred as the 13 campaign agents were appearing in court again to respond to the charges.
Lubowa Ssebina Gyaviira is a prominent NUP figure in Masaka City and is aiming to represent Nyendo-Mukungwe Division in the 12th Parliament.
He is a former Deputy Bursar at Makerere University and has built a significant support base in the area through his Lubowa Ssebina Foundation, which has spearheaded various community development initiatives.
Sources within NUP suggest that Lubowa is one of the potential persons endorsed by senior party officials to carry the party flag in the upcoming elections, positioning him as a strong challenger to incumbent MP Mathias Mpuuga.
By press time, police and security agencies had not issued an official statement regarding Lubowa’s abduction.
This is a developing story. More details will follow.
English 