Sam Mugumya, an aide of opposition lynchpin Dr Kizza Besigye, has been released from a prison in DR Congo where he has been held for eight years.
Mugumya has been incarcerated in Ndolo Prison in Democratic Republic of Congo since 2014 on allegations of carrying enormous sums of money and documents linked to a rebel group in Congo
But according to Dr Besigye’s current aide, Ronald Muhinda, confirmed Mugumya’s release.
“Sacrifice is the pinnacle of patriotism. Sam Mugumya has aspired to be a hero, rather than appear to be one. After 8yrs in military detention in DRC (Ndolo Military Prison), he is finally free today. Mugumya is a fighter that never quits and never gives up,” Muhinda tweeted on Friday, 21 October 2022.
NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, was among those who welcomed Mugumya’s release.
“Such heart-warming news! Delighted to learn that after 8 years under military detention in the DRC, our brother and comrade Sam Mugumya is free. Testament to the enormous sacrifices many people have had to make in pursuit of freedom and democracy for Uganda! We shall overcome!” Bobi Wine tweeted.
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago added: “That you’re finally out of the shadow of death, we owe it to His Grace!!. Your unflinching spirit and endurance is indeed phenomenal. Well be back comrade Sam Mugumya. Phew!!!!”
Bernard Sabiiti added: “Jesus, is this true?!! I hope so. With our fertility rate and population growth, it means a whole generation of Ugandans do not know who Sam Mugumya is.”
Mugumya was born in 1979 in the western district of Rukungiri to Emmanuel Turyomurugyendo and Edinat in a family of five siblings.
He went to a school in Kasese district for his primary education before joining Muntuyera High School in Ntungamo and later Makerere University where he studied social sciences, majoring in political science. He graduated in 2006.
It was at Makerere that he cut his teeth in activism with the Reform Agenda, now FDC as general secretary of the party’s youth league.
