Muwanga Kivumbi Faces New Charges, Remanded to Kitalya

Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, a prominent National Unity Platform (NUP) figure and former Butambala County MP, has been remanded to Kitalya Prison. This follows new charges of inciting violence and managing an unlawful society, brought against him after a period of 19 days in detention where his whereabouts were unknown.

Kivumbi appeared before the Butambala Chief Magistrate’s Court, where he alleged he had been subjected to torture and severe beatings during his detention. His legal team confirmed he displayed injuries and required urgent medical attention, noting that necessary scans were not provided.

The charges stem from alleged incidents on July 9, 2026, in Butambala district, where Kivumbi is accused of inciting the public to commit violence against government officials and to overthrow the government. He is also accused of organizing and supporting members of the public to rise against the state.

His lawyer, Medard Lubega Ssegona, expressed frustration over the lack of information regarding Kivumbi’s detention and condition. “We have not been able to establish where he has been detained all along because he himself doesn’t know,” Ssegona stated.

The defense presented sureties, including the Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, for Kivumbi’s bail application. However, the magistrate remanded him until August 11 to allow for verification of the sureties’ documents, deferring the bail hearing for two weeks.

This is not Kivumbi’s first encounter with legal challenges. He was previously arrested on January 22, 2026, following violence alleged to have occurred after the general elections. After being granted bail by the High Court, he was re-arrested by unidentified security operatives.

Supporters suggest the latest charges might be linked to recent critical remarks Kivumbi made about several high-profile government figures after his previous release on bail.

Source: The Observer (Uganda)