Kawempe Court Orders Expedited Trial for 21 NUP Supporters

The Kawempe Chief Magistrate has directed the prosecution to fast-track the trial of 21 jailed National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters accused of engaging in military drills.

Presiding Grade One Magistrate Damalie Agumaasiimwe instructed the prosecution to present its first witness at the next court appearance. She warned that failure to do so would compel her to dismiss the charges against the accused.

The magistrate noted that the case was first brought before her on 17th August 2025, but six months later, no significant progress had been made. Instead, the prosecution has continuously added more suspects to the chargesheet, delaying proceedings. Magistrate Agumaasiimwe has now barred the prosecution from adding further names, suggesting that any additional suspects be charged on a separate chargesheet.

The 21 accused, including NUP Deputy Spokesperson Alex Waisswa Mufumbiro, face charges related to military drilling, possession of military-like attire, and operating a school without a valid license. The prosecution alleges that the offenses occurred during a military parade held on 23rd February 2025 at the party’s headquarters in Kavule, Kampala, which was presented as a birthday gift to NUP party president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.

The prosecution has also requested that media coverage of the case be regulated, citing concerns that excessive reporting could prejudice the proceedings and compromise the security of witnesses.

In a related development, the 21 suspects have renewed their bail applications, presenting various sureties to the court. The case has been scheduled for hearing on 13th March, when the prosecution is also expected to respond to the bail application.

Meanwhile, the state has reinstated incitement to violence charges against Alex Waisswa Mufumbiro. These charges had previously been dismissed by the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court on 12th February 2026 after it was established that they were filed in the wrong court. In dismissing the charges, Grade One Magistrate Frank Namanya noted that the prosecution failed to specify the exact location of the alleged offense.

At the Kawempe Court, the same charges were re-read to Mufumbiro by Chief Magistrate Ainembabazi Doreen, specifying that the alleged offense occurred at the NUP headquarters in Kavule. Mufumbiro denied the allegations. The state claims that Mufumbiro, a lawyer, incited NUP youths to attack security personnel.

Mufumbiro’s lawyer, Farooq Sserunkuuma, argued that the transfer of the charges is illegal and amounts to bad faith aimed at frustrating their client. He requested that the chargesheet be struck off the court record and that Mufumbiro be acquitted.

During proceedings, Mufumbiro pleaded with the court, stating that the ongoing legal process is causing psychological distress to his sick wife, school-going children, and parents. He asked the magistrate to convict and sentence him to a defined prison term rather than allowing what he described as continuous persecution.