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When did Monica Nabukenya Kibalama die?
On 3rd November 2025, Monica Nabukenya Kibalama, the devoted wife of missing National Unity Platform (NUP) supporter Johnbosco Kibalama, was discovered lifeless in her bathroom on Monday morning. The 35-year-old mother of three, who had spent over six years relentlessly seeking justice for her husband’s abduction, leaves behind young children now orphaned amid a cloud of uncertainty and grief.
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Who Was Monica Nabukenya Kibalama?
Monica, often described by relatives and neighbors as “quiet but deeply troubled,” had become a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity. She shuttled between government offices, human rights organizations, and media outlets, tirelessly advocating for answers while single-handedly raising her three children—aged 10, 8, and 6—who have grown up without their father’s presence. “Monica and her young children have spent the past six years looking for their husband and father,” NUP officials noted in a somber statement, underscoring the family’s unyielding pain.
How Did Monica Nabukenya Kibalama Die?
Police in Mukono District, where the family resides, have launched a probe into the suspected homicide after neighbors raised the alarm upon noticing the unusual silence from the Kibalama home. Preliminary investigations point to possible foul play, with authorities awaiting a postmortem report to ascertain the exact cause of death. No arrests have been made, and the Uganda Police Force has yet to issue an official statement, though sources close to the matter describe the scene as “disturbing.”
Who Is Johnbosco Kibalama and Why Has He Been Missing Since 2019?
Johnbosco Kibalama, a vocal supporter of the NUP—formerly aligned with the People Power movement led by opposition firebrand Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine—vanished without trace on June 3, 2019, in a case widely attributed to state security operatives. Eyewitnesses reported that he was bundled into a vehicle by armed men in plainclothes shortly after attending an NUP rally in Kampala. His abduction is one of at least 18 documented cases of missing persons linked to opposition activities, as highlighted in a 2023 Uganda Human Rights Commission report.
What Happened in Monica’s Recent Court Plea for Her Husband?
Monica’s sudden passing comes just days after she made a desperate, tearful plea in court for the return of her husband, “dead or alive.” On October 31, 2024, during a hearing at the High Court in Kampala, she addressed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and other officials directly, her voice breaking as she implored: “I ask Ms. Nabbanja and the authorities to bring my husband back to us so our children can know their father.” The case, which sought accountability for several missing opposition figures, was dismissed due to a perceived lack of evidence proving the disappearances—a ruling that left Monica “profoundly disappointed and grief-stricken,” according to court observers.
What Have Ugandan Officials Said About Johnbosco Kibalama’s Disappearance?
The government’s response to Kibalama’s disappearance has been mired in contradiction and evasion. In September 2025, Prime Minister Nabbanja informed Parliament that he had been “arrested by state operatives,” yet no formal charges or location were provided. Adding to the confusion, Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Felix Kulayigye claimed last year that Kibalama was “alive and hiding in some country,” refusing to disclose further details or evidence. This revelation ignited outrage in Parliament, with Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi grilling the administration: “How does one leave the country without proper procedures? These abductions continue ahead of the 2026 elections—where is the accountability?” Opposition MP Wilfred Niwagaba echoed the sentiment, demanding immediate clarification on Kibalama’s whereabouts.
How Has the Opposition Reacted to Monica’s Death?
The news of her death has triggered an outpouring of sorrow from Uganda’s opposition circles. Ssenyonyi, who has championed the cause of missing activists, confirmed the tragedy on social media: “This family has endured so much pain and uncertainty. May her soul rest in peace, and may justice one day be served.” The NUP, through its official channels, expressed profound condolences, vowing to support the orphaned children and renew calls for a full investigation into both Monica’s death and her husband’s fate. Bobi Wine, the NUP president, similarly mourned the loss, describing Monica as a “pillar of strength” in the struggle for justice—though his message was briefly overshadowed by a separate tribute to another activist’s spouse.
What Is the Broader Context of Violence and Impunity in Uganda?
This incident unfolds against a backdrop of rising concerns over violence and impunity in Uganda. The Uganda Police Annual Crime Report for 2024 documented over 4,000 homicide cases—a 9% surge from the prior year—with many linked to domestic disputes, land conflicts, and politically motivated attacks. Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have long criticized the government’s handling of enforced disappearances, urging independent probes into cases like Kibalama’s.
As the Kibalama children grapple with unimaginable loss, questions linger: Was Monica’s death a tragic accident, or does it signal deeper threats to those challenging the status quo? With a postmortem pending and political tensions simmering ahead of next year’s polls, the nation awaits answers that may finally bring solace—or expose uncomfortable truths—to a family torn apart.
