The close family members of an Electoral Commission Officer are now living in fear due to his disappearance. It has come to our attention that Okerenyang Walter Andrew Obore (in the featured photo) has been missing since the 8th January 2021 with all efforts to determine his whereabouts by his family futile at this point.
The family members who have been relentlessly searching for him have been frustrated in their efforts to trace him and are now consumed by fear due to the uncertainty of what has befallen him.
Emmanuel, a close relative to Okerenyang has intimated to us that the family suspects he may have been abducted by state security agents and is being held incommunicado. “We have checked at various police stations but all have denied having him in custody or having any knowledge of his whereabouts” said Emmanuel, who requested us not to divulge his full name for fear of reprisal.
We have also been informed how previously Okerenyang has been arrested and threatened by security agents to desist from airing out views critical of the ruling government and to cease allegiance and support to the National Unity Platform or face consequences. It should be noted that there have been several cases of individuals aligned to the National Unity Platform suffering from state instigated persecution.
In addition, we have been made aware that Okerenyang has in the recent past confided to those close to him about a discomfort over being trailed and surveilled by security agents.
The family, based on some reliable leads, suspects that a state inspired abduction by security agents is what has befallen Okerenyang with an intention to silence any opposing and dissenting tendencies to the ruling government that he exhibits and harbors.
It is not uncommon in Uganda for individuals that oppose or express views critical of the ruling regime to be abducted, harassed and tortured in undisclosed detention facilities often referred to as “safe houses” in total disregard of the law.
When we contacted the Police’s public relations office over this matter, they denied holding Okerenyang in custody but stated that the Police is treating it as a missing person case.
