Former Butambala County MP and National Unity Platform (NUP) vice-president for Buganda, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, has been remanded to Kitalya Prison after being charged afresh with inciting violence and managing an unlawful society.
Kivumbi appeared before grade one magistrate Amina Wahab at the Butambala Chief Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, hours after resurfacing at Nateete police station following 19 days incommunicado.
According to the charge sheet, the offences were allegedly committed on July 9, 2026, at Bugoye village, Gombe Ward, Gombe Town Council in Butambala district.
The prosecution alleges that Kivumbi and others still at large, while addressing a public gathering, unlawfully incited members of the public to commit acts of violence against government officials and to overthrow the government by urging them to support a plan to wage war against the state and seize power.
The state further alleges that Kivumbi and his co-accused managed an unlawful society by organising, encouraging and supporting members of the public to rise against and unlawfully overthrow the Government of Uganda.
After 19 days in detention, Kivumbi was reportedly brought by Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JATT) operatives to Nateete police station at about 9:00 am on Wednesday before being transferred to Butambala to face the fresh charges.
A visibly weak Kivumbi appeared before the court in the presence of his family and legal team. His lawyer, Medard Lubega Ssegona, told reporters that neither the family nor the defence had been informed where Kivumbi had been detained during the 19 days.
“We have not been able to establish where he has been detained all along because he himself doesn’t know. He was blindfolded, taken and dumped in a place he doesn’t know, where he received severe beatings until he bled profusely after being hit on the head,” Ssegona said.
While appearing before the magistrate, Kivumbi alleged that he had been tortured in detention and displayed injuries on his arms, back and head. He told the court that he required urgent medical attention.
“The only treatment he received was to stop the bleeding. When their personal doctor came, he requested a scan on the head, which was not available. That is probably why they decided to bring him to court,” Ssegona added.
The defence said it presented substantial sureties, including Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, in support of Kivumbi’s application for bail. However, the magistrate remanded him to Kitalya Prison until August 11 to allow the prosecution time to verify the sureties’ documents.
Ssegona said the defence also sought immediate consideration of the bail application but the court deferred the matter for two weeks.
“It’s unfortunate that there is a misunderstanding of the law by so many people. The accused is not supposed to justify his bail because freedom is guaranteed under the Constitution. Once he satisfies the conditions in the bail guidelines, it becomes the duty of the state to prove why he should remain in custody. Unfortunately, the practice appears to be shifting, with the accused being required to prove why they deserve bail,” Ssegona said.
Kivumbi was initially arrested on January 22, 2026, over violence allegedly committed after the January 15 general elections.
According to the prosecution, between January 11 and 17, 2026, in Kibibi and Gombe town councils, Kivumbi and others participated in acts intended to intimidate the government for political purposes. The allegations include attacks on Kibibi police station and the Butambala Electoral Commission tally centre, damaging the Butambala–Gomba road and destroying vehicles.
He was later granted bail by the International Crimes Division of the High court but was re-arrested the following day by unidentified security operatives.
His supporters believe the latest charges may be linked to remarks he made after securing bail, during which he sharply criticised President Yoweri Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni, Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and former Speaker Anita Among.