Questions surrounding the whereabouts of Amuria District Woman MP, Hon. Margaret Etilu have finally been answered after Vice President Jessica Alupo assured Parliament that the legislator is safe, healthy, and expected to return to her parliamentary duties this week.
Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, June 10, Alupo said family members had confirmed Etilu’s well-being following weeks of uncertainty that sparked widespread public concern and political debate.
Etilu, who was recently elected to Parliament, had not been seen in public since May 23 after she was reportedly detained by security personnel at the residence of former Speaker Anita Annet Among ahead of the Speaker elections.
Her disappearance triggered anxiety among residents of Amuria District, fellow lawmakers, and opposition leaders, many of whom repeatedly demanded answers regarding her whereabouts and legal status. The uncertainty also prompted public prayers in her home district and renewed scrutiny of the conduct of security agencies.
The matter raised broader concerns about constitutional rights, due process, and accountability, with critics questioning whether proper legal procedures had been followed and why authorities remained silent for several weeks.
During the same parliamentary sitting, Alupo also addressed concerns about the disappearance of National Unity Platform (NUP) supporter John Bosco Kibalama, who was reportedly abducted in 2019 and has not been seen since.
The Vice President called on the Minister for Security to provide a comprehensive statement on cases involving missing persons, emphasizing that such concerns affect Ugandans across the political spectrum regardless of party affiliation.
As Uganda’s 12th Parliament settles into its new term, the Etilu saga has emerged as a significant test of transparency and accountability. While Alupo’s assurance may ease immediate concerns about the MP’s safety, many Ugandans are still awaiting a full explanation of the circumstances surrounding her reported detention and disappearance.
With Etilu expected to return to Parliament in the coming days, attention is now shifting to whether security agencies will provide the answers that lawmakers, constituents, and the wider public continue to demand.
