KAMPALA – Samuel Heskor, a well-known critic of President Museveni and a member of the National Unity Platform (NUP) of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine is in hiding amid nighttime kidnappings, which have targeted members of his party.
This website understands that Heskor who was supposed to report for his bond at Wandegeya Police Station in Kampala went into hiding after ‘intelligence’ information that there was a plan to re-arrest him on charges of inciting violence among other treasonous acts including his association with Bobi Wine.
In 2021, Heskor who had mobilized for his party president in the previous election said he suffered systematic torture and detention in harsh conditions after he was snatched off the streets by security services in plain clothes.
“After close to 9 months in incommunicado detention with no charge, no court, and no access to a lawyer, one day in December 2021, I was taken to another room where my bio-data information was taken and noted and after put into a vehicle and dumped in Mpigi [district]. Before being dumped, they told me how they kept all my bio-data information and that any mistake of supporting NUP and going to any media outlet to intimate my torture story would lead to death,” he said in a recent interview, noting that he suffered significant and potentially lasting physical and psychological harm.
He said he was beaten severely before being placed in vehicles with no number plates and taken to unknown places.
Heskor, a resident of Kisenyi II, Kampala Central claims that he now lives a life of fear and that he is getting death threats over his recent involvement in political party activities that seek to topple President Museveni’s administration.
“In June 2023, I was arrested in Wandegeya while heading to Makindye to attend the KUNGA NUP meeting organized by NUP leaders. I was detained at Wandegeya Police Station, charged with incitement of violence, and granted a police bond after paying a bribe of UGX1 million not to be handed over to the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence that tortured me in 2021 and promised me death if I did not shun People Power and NUP,” he narrated.
He added: “Since then, I have been receiving intimidating calls and being trailed by unknown elements who attempt to knock me dead driving vehicles with hidden number plates.”
Other victims of kidnap have been shot in the legs, had fingernails pulled out, and been burned with cigarettes, images and medical reports by Human Rights Network show.
National Unity Platform leaders told Uganda parliament that over 600 members and activists have remained missing while others remain held in gazetted military outfits.
Some of those snatched from the streets have been sentenced after cursory hearings in the courts. Like Heskor, many are not brought to court at all.
