Former Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda has revealed that he is deliberately staying in exile after completing Umrah in Mecca, citing fears of abduction, torture and detention if he returns to Uganda. Ssemujju, who has declined to disclose his current location, says he will only return when he is confident he will not be taken to what he described as the “basement.”

Ssemujju said he left Uganda on June 17 to travel to Mecca for Umrah, which he completed successfully. However, instead of returning home, he decided to remain outside the country, saying the security situation had made his return too risky.

“I couldn't come back because of the terror and torture, which seem to have become normalised. People can be kidnapped, tortured and harassed, and nothing happens,” Ssemujju said.

The former legislator said his decision to remain in exile was primarily driven by concerns for his personal safety and what he described as the increasing targeting of opposition politicians and government critics.

Ssemujju said he would only return to Uganda once he is certain that he will not be arrested and taken to what he called the “basement”, a reference he used in describing alleged secret or harsh detention facilities.

He also called for collective efforts to “redeem the country”, accusing what he referred to as “gangs” of picking people up from the streets and subjecting them to torture.

According to Ssemujju, some of those detained are released after public pressure, while others remain in custody.

The former MP said he is optimistic that he will secure settlement in another country within “a few weeks or months”. He said he would then inform the public about his whereabouts.

Ssemujju's decision to remain in exile comes amid a broader pattern of opposition politicians, activists and government critics leaving Uganda after citing security concerns, intimidation and threats.

Among those who have spent periods outside the country is National Unity Platform (NUP) leader and opposition figure Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine. Other prominent Ugandans who have faced security concerns include human rights lawyer Eron Kiiza and Uganda Law Society President Isaac Kimaze Ssemakadde.

The departures have occurred against a backdrop of allegations by opposition figures and civil society actors of abductions, unlawful detention, torture and intimidation by security agencies.

Ssemujju's latest comments are therefore likely to renew debate about the safety of political opposition and government critics in Uganda, as well as growing concerns over alleged violations of civil liberties.

For now, the former MP says he will remain outside the country until he is satisfied that returning home will not put his safety at risk.