UPDF has broken the silence about a priest from Masaka Catholic Diocese who has been missing since early this week.
Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira, a curate at Bumangi Parish, wernt missing on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at around 1:00 pm from Katwe, Masaka City, where he was serving as Director of Uplift Primary School.
The Catholic Church in Masaka has since reported that the priest had been kidnapped by gunmen wearing UPDF uniform who took him from his office.
However, in a Sunday evening statement, the UPDF said Fr. Ssekabira was recently arrested by security forces and is currently under custody to assist with ongoing criminal investigations.
“This is to confirm that Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira of Masaka Diocese was recently arrested by the security forces for involvement in violent subversive activities against the state,” said Col. Chris Magezi, the acting UPDF Director of Defence Public Information.
Col. Magezi added that the priest remains in detention as investigations continue and will be arraigned before court once the probe is concluded.
“He is currently in lawful custody to assist with further investigations into the matter. He will be produced in the courts of law and charged accordingly,” Col. Magezi stated.
The UPDF clarification comes a day after the Bishop of Masaka Diocese, Rt. Rev. Severus Jjumba, issued a statement expressing concern over the whereabouts of the priest following his disappearance.
According to the Diocese, Fr. Ssekabira was allegedly abducted on Wednesday the 3rd from his office in Katwe, Masaka, by unknown armed men, prompting the Church leadership to demand clarity from security agencies.
Bishop Jjumba had called on authorities to account for the priest’s whereabouts, citing growing anxiety among clergy and the faithful.
The UPDF statement now confirms that Fr. Ssekabira is in state custody, although details surrounding the alleged subversive activities have not yet been disclosed.
