A human rights activist and lawyer, Aloikin Praise Opoloje, vanished after being taken from Namungoona Police Station in Kampala, Uganda, following a dispute over a carpet, according to reports. Opoloje, a member of the advocacy group Agora Discourse, was reportedly detained by unidentified security operatives after a complaint about the carpet’s ownership was filed, raising concerns about state surveillance and the treatment of civic activists.
The incident began when Opoloje collected a carpet from a car-washing and cleaning business near her home on September 27, 2026. The business owner later contacted her, claiming the carpet belonged to another woman whose housemaid had sought it. Opoloje disputed this, leading her friend Raus Ninsima to suggest they document the carpet with photos and videos to prove ownership. The business owner reportedly did not review the evidence, and the alleged rightful owner later called Opoloje, providing details inconsistent with the carpet in her possession. Opoloje then offered to share the evidence via WhatsApp, but the woman declined, opting to report the matter to police instead.
At 6:30 p.m., Opoloje received a call from Namungoona Police Station informing her of a theft complaint against her. Ninsima accompanied her to the station, located near Namungoona Orthodox Church, carrying the disputed carpet. Upon arrival, officers directed them to a separate room where a man in a maroon shirt allegedly claimed Opoloje had been under surveillance by security operatives. He reportedly stated that she would be taken to the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), a claim Ninsima said Opoloje found alarming.
During the encounter, Opoloje began photographing the man, prompting an army officer to intervene and initiate a scuffle. Subsequently, plainclothes operatives and officers in green uniforms arrived. A van with registration number UA875AG, described as a drone, was parked outside with its engine running. Ninsima alleged that Opoloje was forcibly taken into the van, and she was threatened with a gun when attempting to intervene. A receptionist reportedly told her Opoloje would be transferred to Entebbe Police Station, which handles “indisciplined people of her calibre.”
The disappearance occurred hours after Opoloje shared a video criticizing Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the CDF, sparking immediate concern among human rights groups. The Uganda Law Society called for her immediate release, while lawyers and civil society organizations demanded transparency about her whereabouts. As of September 27, 2026, police and defense authorities had not confirmed her detention location or legal status.
Opoloje has a history of civic activism, including arrests during anti-corruption protests in 2024. She and two others were granted bail, and the case was dismissed in 2025 due to the prosecution’s failure to produce witnesses. Her latest disappearance has reignited debates about the treatment of activists and the procedures for summoning individuals to police stations. Ninsima emphasized that the carpet complaint appeared to be a pretext for her detention, citing the involvement of security agencies linked to the CDF.
The incident underscores broader concerns about accountability and due process in Uganda. Human rights advocates have urged authorities to clarify the circumstances of Opoloje’s disappearance and ensure her rights are protected. As of press time, her location remained unknown, with no official statements from the police or defense forces.
Ugandan Activist Disappears After Police Encounter Linked to Carpet Dispute