Kivumbi Transferred to Butambala Court to Face Fresh Charges

Former Butambala County MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi has been transferred to Butambala District, where he is expected to appear before the Chief Magistrate’s Court,

 

He resurfaced at Nateete Police Station following more than two weeks of disappearance.

According to his lawyer, Samuel Muyizzi Mulindwa, Kivumbi was removed from Nateete Police Station before his legal team and leaders of the National Unity Platform (NUP) could gain access to him. 

 

The team, led by Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi and NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, arrived at the station only to find that he had already been driven to Butambala.

Kivumbi’s brother, Hajji Musa Lutaaya,told media that at around 12:30 p.m., Kivumbi was put into a police vehicle and driven away under escort. 

“He has been put in a police vehicle, and right now they are headed to Butambala. I’m moving behind them,” Lutaaya said.

Lutaaya said he was unable to speak to or even see his brother while he was at Nateete Police Station. He added that the family had not been informed whether Kivumbi was being taken to the Butambala Chief Magistrate’s Court or what charges, if any, he would face. 

 

NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya said the party was closely monitoring the situation.

“We have been in court over his matter, but now we are at Nateete Police Station. The plan, according to what they are saying here, is to take him to Butambala,” Rubongoya said before Kivumbi’s transfer was confirmed. 

 

Kivumbi resurfaced on Wednesday morning after he was reportedly dropped at Nateete Police Station by unidentified state operatives from an undisclosed location.

His reappearance came after he had been missing since July 9, 2026, when he was allegedly abducted at a roadblock along the Masaka-Kampala Highway, a day after securing bail from the International Crimes Division of the High Court on terrorism charges.

 

 During his disappearance, his lawyers and family repeatedly petitioned court, seeking orders compelling security agencies to produce him. However, both the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces consistently denied having him in custody.

Last week, Senior Presidential Assistant Gen. Proscovia Nalweyiso told the media that Kivumbi was being held over allegations different from the terrorism charges for which he had obtained bail, although no further details were provided.