By Staff Writer
A Ugandan opposition supporter has fled his homeland and sought asylum in Canada, citing political persecution, torture, and threats to his life due to his affiliation with the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP).
Amos Namumpa, 31, a native of Bukanga in Isingiro District, says he was forced to flee Uganda after facing repeated harassment from authorities following his involvement in political mobilization activities for the NUP, a party led by opposition figure Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu.
Namumpa, who is currently residing in Edmonton, Alberta, arrived in Canada on February 8, 2026, after traveling through Brussels and Montreal. He has since submitted a refugee claim, arguing that returning to Uganda would expose him to further persecution.
According to his account, Namumpa became actively involved in opposition politics in 2020 during Uganda’s heated election period of 2021 elections. While operating in Kampala, he worked as a grassroots mobilizer for the NUP, distributing campaign materials, mobilizing voters, and participating in political rallies.
However, he says his political activities soon attracted the attention of security operatives.
“After the elections, I was tracked and threatened because of my support for the opposition,” Namumpa said in his account. “It became impossible to work or move freely.”
The situation, he says, worsened as he struggled to support his family, including his father who had fallen seriously ill.
In November 2021, Namumpa left Uganda and travelled to Qatar in the middle East in search of employment and safety.But even there, he says he continued to fear for his security and began looking for ways to relocate to a country where he could seek protection.
In 2023, he secured a Canadian visa with the help of a contact. However, he was forced to return to Uganda to replace an expired passport. During this period, his father passed away after a prolonged illness, further complicating his situation.
Following the burial, Namumpa went into hiding, fearing arrest and continued harassment.
His fears escalated on January 18, 2026, when he says he was abducted by unknown individuals and taken to what he described as a “safe house.” There, he claims he was beaten and tortured for several days.
He says he was later dumped on a roadside in Makindye a Kampala suburb on January 22, 2026, after his captors realized that a planned political demonstration had not taken place.
He later sought medical treatment at a local clinic for injuries including severe back pain and internal bleeding.
Fearing further persecution, Namumpa went into hiding in Kabale District in southwestern Uganda during the tense period surrounding the 2026 elections.
With the help of a well-wisher who lent him money, he managed to purchase a ticket and leave the country.
Now in Canada, Namumpa says he hopes the country will grant him asylum and allow him to rebuild his life.
“I fear that if I return to Uganda, I will be arrested, tortured, or killed because of my political beliefs,” he said.
His case now awaits consideration by Canadian immigration authorities, who will determine whether his claim meets the requirements for refugee protection.
