High Court Postpones Bail Hearing for Ex-MP Muwanga Kivumbi

The International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kampala has postponed the hearing of a bail application filed by former Butambala County Member of Parliament Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi and his 24 co-accused, who are seeking temporary release on terrorism charges.

The charges stem from alleged violent attacks in Butambala District following the January 15 general election, incidents that reportedly left seven people dead and caused extensive destruction to public and private property.

Prosecution alleges that Kivumbi orchestrated attacks on Kibibi Police Station and the Butambala Electoral Commission tally centre, claiming the incidents were intended to influence government actions and intimidate the public for political and economic objectives. The State further argues that the acts were prejudicial to national security and were carried out indiscriminately, with no regard for civilian life or property.

Kivumbi, who also serves as the National Unity Platform (NUP) Vice President for Central Uganda, was arrested on January 21, 2026, and charged with terrorism. He was initially detained at Butambala Police Station before being arraigned in court on January 23, 2026, and remanded to Kitalya Mini Max Prison, where he remains on remand.

He is jointly charged with Bruhan Matovu, Karam Bukenya, Wilson Muyinda, Waigoina Abdul Swaburu, Kiberu Hecklous, Kasozi Fahad Kiiza, Kelvin Kayanja, Twain Ssesanga, Brian Ssewanyana, Brian Muwanguzi, Nicholas Walakira, Musa Ssekabo, Joseph Wakikaatu, Rahim Mubiru, Donovan Ssentongo, Madinah Namaganda, Hannifah Nakibuuka, Paul Mawanda, Jackson Bumbi, Peter Baribuza, Mukiibi Yusuf Kwamira, Ivan Akankwasa, Yusuf Ramathan Kiwanuka, and Brian Owori.

Court records indicate that Kivumbi’s co-accused were initially charged with incitement to violence and malicious damage to property before the Butambala Chief Magistrates Court on January 20, 2026. They were later remanded to Kabasanda Government Prison, Mpigi Women’s Prison, and Naguru Remand Home before the State withdrew the initial charges and amended the charge sheet to include terrorism offences that had initially been brought against Kivumbi alone.

In their bail application, the accused argue that despite several court appearances, they have never been committed to the High Court for trial because the State maintains that investigations are still ongoing. They contend that their continued detention without committal violates the constitutional principle of presumption of innocence and amounts to prolonged detention.

Kivumbi, 52, describes himself as a law-abiding citizen, family man, and experienced leader who has represented Butambala County in Parliament for the past 15 years. He says he has permanent residences in Buwate, Kira Municipality in Wakiso District, and Bugoye Village in Butambala District.

Among the sureties proposed for Kivumbi are Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, Sarah Lutaaya, Musa Lutaaya, and Fatuma Lutaaya. The applicants argue that they have fixed places of abode, good character, and substantial sureties, making them unlikely to abscond if granted bail.

The group had been expected to appear before Justice Susan Okalany on Monday for the hearing of their bail application, which was filed on May 4, 2026, by their lawyers from M/S Alaka and Company Advocates and Lukwago and Company Advocates.

However, one of the defence lawyers, Samuel Muyizzi Mulindwa, told reporters that court had communicated that the hearing had been adjourned to June 1, 2026, due to the week-long Annual Prosecutors Symposium currently underway in Kampala.

Muyizzi said that while the defence understood the reason for the adjournment, they were disappointed that the change was not communicated earlier, forcing lawyers to first report to court before being informed. He said the defence would now be ready to present the bail application on June 1 and would also return on June 4, 2026, when the matter comes up for an update on the progress of investigations before the Butambala Chief Magistrates Court.  

The case remains under investigation, with the International Crimes Division expected to hear the bail application on June 1, 2026, before the matter returns to the Butambala Chief Magistrates Court for mention on June 4, 2026.