The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Dr Lina Zedriga, the Deputy President for Northern Uganda of the National Unity Platform (NUP), has resurfaced after nearly a month incommunicado and is appearing before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Gulu this morning.
Zedriga, 68, appeared before the Chief Magistrate Augustine Alule, where she was charged with inciting violence contrary to Section 79(1) of the Penal Code Act, and remanded until February 17.
The prosecution alleges that in December 2025, while at various locations in Northern Uganda, including Gulu, Amuru, Omoro and Nwoya districts, Dr Zedriga incited members of the public to commit acts of violence, specifically to attack supporters of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), based on their political opinion. The charge was preferred by police at Aswa West Police Station under Police Charge Gulu CRB 068/2026 and sanctioned on February 6, 2026.
Her court appearance follows weeks of uncertainty and mounting political tension after she went missing ahead of polling day in the national presidential elections.
During her absence, NUP leaders repeatedly alleged that she had been abducted by the military and held at an undisclosed detention facility, claims that intensified national and regional concern. Earlier, leaders from the West Nile region issued an emotional appeal to government authorities demanding answers over her disappearance.
Speaking on behalf of the Lugbara community, Ismail Tuku, the Lugbara Prime Minister, said Zedriga’s prolonged absence had caused deep anxiety among her family and the wider community, describing the situation as unacceptable and culturally alarming.
Tuku linked Zedriga’s case to other unresolved disappearances of Lugbara individuals, including Yetiya Tom from Marachakla and Angulubo from Waringa, who vanished under mysterious circumstances in previous years and were never traced.
He explained that in Lugbara culture, disappearances are traditionally attributed to identifiable causes, such as drowning, wildfire, snakebite, murder, or, in the case of a mature woman, marriage, but stressed that the length of Zedriga’s absence far exceeded the culturally acceptable period for establishing any such cause.
Meanwhile, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has categorically denied any involvement. Addressing the matter, Chris Magezi, the Acting Defence Public Information Officer, said the army was not aware of any formally reported cases involving missing NUP members.
“The army is not aware of any formally reported cases regarding missing NUP members,” Magezi said, urging the opposition party to pursue recognised security and judicial channels. He further dismissed the claims, describing NUP’s allegations of missing party members as “a wave of drama.”
Zedriga’s sudden reappearance in court is expected to rekindle debate over enforced disappearances, the conduct of security agencies during election periods, and the shrinking space for opposition politics as the country awaits the commencement of proceedings in Gulu.
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