The whereabouts of Amuria District Woman Member of Parliament, Maggie Etilu, remain unknown several days after she was reportedly picked up by security operatives in Kampala last Saturday. Her unexplained disappearance has sparked concern among legislators, family members, and constituents in Amuria District, many of whom have taken to social media to demand her release and clarity on her situation.
According to information obtained by our reporter, Etilu was allegedly arrested while leaving the residence of former Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, in Kampala on May 23. A Member of Parliament from the Teso sub-region, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Etilu had visited the former Speaker following reports of security operations at her residences.
“She had gone to check on the former Speaker after the reports about the security searches and investigations. She was reportedly picked shortly after leaving the residence,” the MP said. The legislator further noted that efforts by colleagues to trace her whereabouts have so far been unsuccessful, despite engagements with various authorities, including discussions within parliamentary leadership.
“We have tried engaging different authorities, including interfacing with the Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth, to help establish her whereabouts, but nothing concrete has come out of it,” the MP added. Another legislator from Teso claimed that Etilu was taken away by security operatives shortly after leaving the premises of the former Speaker.
“What I know is that Maggie has occasionally been staying at the former Speaker’s residence. She has been close to her, and perhaps that is why she was picked,” the legislator said. Etilu’s disappearance has also caused distress within her family. Speaking to our reporter, her mother, Margaret Etilu, said she only learned of her daughter’s situation recently after relatives hesitated to inform her due to her health condition.
“I only got to know my daughter was missing today. Everyone has been fearing to tell me about Maggie because of my health condition,” she said in a phone interview. Visibly emotional, she added: “I trust that my God, the God that we serve, will protect her from wherever she is being held. My daughter…” before the call ended abruptly.
Attempts to get a comment from the police were unsuccessful. Calls to police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma were not answered and had not been returned by press time.
Etilu, a member of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), was elected to Parliament following the retirement of former Amuria District Woman MP Susan Amero.Her absence has recently been noted in key parliamentary and party engagements. She did not attend the NRM parliamentary caucus meeting held on Sunday, where party members endorsed leadership positions for Speaker and Deputy Speaker. She also missed the first sitting of the 12th Parliament, the election of parliamentary leadership, and subsequent orientation sessions for new MPs.Her reported disappearance comes amid heightened political tension and growing scrutiny linked to investigations involving former Speaker Among and some of her close associates.
Uganda has in recent years recorded several similar incidents involving politicians, activists, and religious leaders allegedly picked up by security operatives and held incommunicado for days before authorities officially acknowledge their detention.
Among them is Justine Nameere, who was reportedly picked shortly after her swearing-in as Masaka City Woman MP earlier this month.
Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira of Masaka Diocese also disappeared in December 2025 after allegedly being picked by armed operatives. He was later confirmed by the UPDF to be in military custody over alleged “subversive activities.” Similar cases have previously been reported during politically tense periods, with individuals allegedly taken by unidentified operatives and later confirmed to be in state custody days after their disappearance-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
