The International Crimes Division of the High Court has ordered Uganda Prisons Service to present former Butambala County MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi and 24 other suspects for the hearing of their bail application in an ongoing terrorism case.
A production warrant issued by the court directs prison authorities to produce the accused before Lady Justice Susan Okalany on May 25, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. The suspects are currently being held in different detention facilities, including Luzira Upper Prison, Luzira Women’s Prison, Kigo Prison, Kitalya Mini Max Prison, and Naguru Remand Home.
Kivumbi, who also serves as Vice President for Central Uganda in the National Unity Platform, jointly filed the bail application with his co-accused as they await trial on terrorism-related charges before the International Crimes Division.
The group is seeking temporary release under provisions of Article 23 of the Constitution and Section 15 of the Trial on Indictments Act. Their lawyers, from Lukwago and Company Advocates together with Alaka and Company Advocates, argue that the accused qualify for bail because they have fixed places of residence, reliable sureties, and are unlikely to flee.
Court records indicate that the suspects were arrested between January 14 and January 21, 2026, during the heated election period leading to the recently concluded general elections.
Initially, several of Kivumbi’s co-accused were charged before the Butambala Chief Magistrates Court with offences related to incitement to violence and malicious damage to property. However, the State later withdrew those charges and amended the indictment to include terrorism allegations against all the accused persons.
Kivumbi was arrested on January 21 and later charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act. In an affidavit supporting the bail request, he states that he spent three days in detention at Butambala Police Station before being arraigned in court on January 23 and remanded to Kitalya Mini Max Prison, where he remains held.
The applicants argue that despite repeated appearances before the Chief Magistrates Court, the State has not committed them to the High Court for trial, maintaining that investigations are still ongoing.
In his affidavit, Kivumbi describes himself as a law-abiding citizen, family man, and experienced legislator who has represented Butambala County in Parliament for 15 years. He also notes that he currently chairs Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE).
He says he has permanent residences in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, and in Butambala District. Among the people presented as his sureties are Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi and NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya.
The accused contend that their continued detention without committal for trial undermines the constitutional presumption of innocence and amounts to prolonged incarceration without conclusion of investigations.
According to the prosecution, Kivumbi allegedly coordinated attacks on Kibibi Police Station and the Butambala Electoral Commission tally centre. Prosecutors claim the attacks were intended to influence government actions and intimidate the public for political and economic purposes.
The alleged violence reportedly led to destruction of property along the Butambala–Gomba road, including several motor vehicles. Seven people are also said to have lost their lives during the unrest.
The prosecution maintains that the alleged actions threatened national security and were carried out recklessly without regard for civilian lives or property.
The International Crimes Division is yet to formally assign the case to a trial judge, although the bail hearing is expected later this month.
A number of opposition supporters arrested during and after the January 2026 elections remain on remand in different prisons across the country. Among them are supporters linked to Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, including his bodyguards Edward Ssebuwufu, commonly known as Eddie Mutwe, Acleo Kivumbi, and Calvin Tasi.
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