Opposition Presses Government on Hon. Kivumbi's Whereabouts

Concerns have been raised in Uganda’s Parliament regarding the sudden disappearance of former Butambala County MP, Hon. Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi. Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, brought the matter to the floor, stating that Hon. Kivumbi was intercepted by armed security personnel on July 11, 2026, the day after he was granted bail, and has been unaccounted for since.

According to Hon. Ssenyonyi, eyewitnesses reported that Hon. Kivumbi was forced into a vehicle commonly referred to as a “drone.” Neither his family nor his colleagues have been able to ascertain his current location or the reasons for his apprehension. This situation has led the Opposition to express fears about a potential pattern of enforced disappearances occurring outside legal channels.

Hon. Ssenyonyi highlighted Article 23 of the Constitution, which outlines the rights of arrested individuals, including being informed of the reasons for arrest, detention in a legal place, and production in court within 48 hours. He argued that if there are suspicions about Hon. Kivumbi’s conduct or speech, only the courts, not security agencies, have the authority to determine any alleged offenses.

The Opposition has drawn parallels to previous incidents, such as the rearrests of former MPs Muhammad Ssegirinya and Allan Ssewanyana after their bail in 2021, and the arrest of former MP Paul Akamba from court premises in 2024.

Responding to the concerns, Attorney General Hon. Sam Mayanja assured Parliament that the government respects constitutionalism and would investigate the matter thoroughly. He pledged to present a detailed report to the House on July 16, 2026, emphasizing the government’s commitment to upholding the Constitution and the rule of law.

Source: Parliament of Uganda