GULU, Uganda — The Deputy President for Northern Uganda of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Lina Zedriga, appeared in court Friday after missing for nearly a month, a disappearance her party blamed on state abduction.
Zedriga was charged with inciting violence before Chief Magistrate Augustine Alule at the Gulu Chief Magistrate’s Court. She was remanded into custody until Feb. 17.
Her court appearance follows weeks of uncertainty and mounting political tension after she went missing ahead of polling day in national presidential elections. During her absence, NUP leaders alleged she had been abducted by the military and held at an undisclosed facility.
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces has denied involvement. Acting UPDF Public Information Officer Chris Magezi said the army was unaware 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 to use official channels and dismissing the allegations as “a wave of drama.”
Earlier, leaders from the West Nile region issued an emotional appeal for information on her whereabouts. Ismail Tuku, the Lugbara Prime Minister, said Zedriga’s prolonged absence caused deep anxiety and was culturally alarming.
Tuku linked her case to other unresolved disappearances of Lugbara individuals in previous years, noting that in their culture, such a long absence exceeds acceptable periods for establishing traditional causes.
Zedriga’s sudden reappearance is expected to rekindle debate over enforced disappearances and the treatment of opposition figures.
