Court Demands State Account for MP Kivumbi's Whereabouts in Seven Days

The High Court in Kampala has granted the state a seven-day period to ascertain the location of former Butambala County MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi. Justice Collins Acellam made the directive on Tuesday, instructing the Chief of Defence Forces, Inspector General of Police, and the Attorney General to submit an affidavit detailing the outcome of their investigations.

This ruling comes as Kivumbi’s legal team petitioned the court for a writ of habeas corpus, alleging his abduction on July 10th. They claim unidentified operatives took him from a police checkpoint in Mpigi shortly after his release on bail by the High Court.

The application sought to compel security agencies to produce Kivumbi in court and secure his unconditional release. According to an affidavit filed by Kivumbi’s brother, Hajj Musa Lutaaya, the former MP was stopped at a checkpoint near Mpigi Police Station. Lutaaya alleged that police officers facilitated his transfer into another vehicle that drove off to an undisclosed location.

In a contradictory statement, the Uganda Police Force has denied holding the former MP. An affidavit from Assistant Commissioner of Police Godwin Tumugumye stated that there is no record of Kivumbi being arrested or detained by the police, nor was he in their custody or held in any police facility.

Justice Acellam underlined the significance of the writ of habeas corpus as a constitutional safeguard for personal liberty, enabling courts to scrutinize the legality of arrests and detentions. However, he noted that issuing such a writ would be ineffective without knowing the detainee’s whereabouts and the responsible authority.

The judge concluded that it is prudent to allow the respondents a limited time to conduct their inquiries. The court will revisit the matter on July 29, 2026, to decide on the next steps, depending on the government’s report.

Source: Nile Post