Police boss explains missing persons who later surface at their stations
The exchange left committee members questioning how police handle people who disappear and later resurface in custody, with Ocaya acknowledging that the circumstances can sometimes be difficult to explain.
Deputy Inspector General of Police James Ocaya makes remarks on Thursday, August 20, 2026, while appearing before the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (Central). (Photo by Maria Wamala)
________________ Public Accounts Committee (Central) chairperson Patrick Nsamba makes remarks during the committee’s proceedings on Thursday, August 20, 2026. (Photo by Maria Wamala) Mbale Industrial Division MP Karim Masaba. (Photo by Maria Wamala)
The deputy Inspector General of Police, James Ocaya, has said that missing persons who later resurface at their stations often show up on their own without any of their officers dragging them there.
Ocaya made the remarks on Thursday, August 20, 2026, while appearing before Members of Parliament (MPs) on the Public Accounts Committee (central) chaired by Patrick Oshabe Nsamba (Kassanda North).
Masaba cited the case of former Butambala County MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, who was on July 9 this year arrested by security operatives and went missing for about two weeks, only to be traced later to Nateete Police Station.
A section of police officers during the the committee’s proceedings on Thursday, August 20, 2026.( Photo by Maria Wamala)
A cross-section of Members of Parliament on the Public Accounts Committee (Central) during the committee’s proceedings on Thursday, August 20, 2026. (Photo by Maria Wamala)
At the time of his disappearance, Kivumbi had, a day earlier, secured bail from the International Crimes Division of the High Court, where he is battling terrorism charges.
However, Ochaya’s response opened a pandora's box. The committee chairperson (Nsamba) questioned the veracity and basis of charges police prefer if missing persons from his account walk themselves into the cells.
“Who prefers cases against such people when they miraculously appear at police stations? Is it Police?” Nsamba wondered.
Ochaya, in response, said, “As I have already told you, for us we propose (the charges), then the DPP (Directorate of Public Prosecutions) confirms them.”
This did not augur well with Nsamba, and he wondered; “So, someone has been missing for 17 days, miraculously appears at Nateete Police Station, instead of letting him to go home, now you propose charges?”
This prompted Ochaya to quip; “Well, you know sometimes, it is very difficult to explain here.”
At that point, Nsamba said they understood the complexity of the matter at hand.