The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has revealed that Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira, a Catholic priest from Masaka Diocese who went missing for several days after being grabbed by security operatives is now in custody of the state security apparatus for alleged subversive activities .
In a statement released on December 14, 2025, through the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, the UPDF said Fr. Ssekabira was arrested by security operatives and is currently in lawful detention to assist with investigations.
The statement, signed by acting Director of the Department of Defence Public Information , Col. Chris Magezi, said the priest is alleged to have got involved in violent acts against the state of Uganda.
“Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira of Masaka Diocese was recently arrested by security forces for alleged involvement in violent subversive activities against the state,” the statement said. “He is in lawful custody and will be produced before court and charged accordingly.”
This after public outcry after Masaka Diocese announced that the priest had been kidnapped by armed men wearing military uniforms. According to the Diocese, Fr. Ssekabira — a curate at Bumanji Parish and Director of Uplift Primary School — was taken on December 3, 2025, from his office in Katwe, Masaka City.
The Bishop of Masaka Diocese, Rt. Rev. Serverus Jjumba, in a seperate statement said the incident was deeply troubling and called on Christians to pray regularly for the priest’s safe return, saying all attempts to trace his whereabouts had failed.
