Butambala Court: Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi Bail Granted for Inciting Violence

• Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, NUP Deputy President for Buganda, was granted bail by the Butambala Chief Magistrate's Court on charges of inciting violence and managing an unlawful society.
• This release follows his re-arrest and a 19-day disappearance shortly after he had secured bail in a separate terrorism-related case in July.
• Kivumbi had previously spent nearly six months on remand for the terrorism charges before being granted Shs10 million cash bail.
• The National Unity Platform welcomed his release but voiced concerns about the possibility of further re-arrests.
• He continues to face allegations in both the fresh case and the earlier terrorism-related matter, all of which he denies.

His latest release marks another chapter in a legal saga characterized by prolonged detention, multiple bail proceedings, and the controversial re-arrest on new charges shortly after securing initial freedom.

Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, the National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy President for Buganda, has recently been granted bail by the Butambala Chief Magistrate's Court. This decision pertains to a case where he faces accusations of inciting violence and managing an unlawful society. His release follows several weeks spent on remand in connection with these specific charges.

This development marks a significant moment in Kivumbi's ongoing legal challenges, as it represents his second bail grant within a relatively short period. The charges before the Butambala court allege serious offenses, placing the NUP official at the center of a politically sensitive legal battle in Uganda.

The current bail grant for Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi comes after a controversial re-arrest that occurred shortly after he had previously secured bail in a separate, terrorism-related case. In July, the International Crimes Division of the High Court had granted him cash bail of Shs10 million, with his sureties executing non-cash bonds, following nearly six months on remand for those charges. Sixteen of his co-accused were also released on bail at that time.

However, immediately following his release in July, Kivumbi was intercepted by security operatives in Mpigi while traveling from Butambala to Kampala. His lawyers reported that his whereabouts remained unknown for several days, triggering widespread concern among opposition politicians and legal professionals. He eventually resurfaced at Nateete Police Station before being transferred to Butambala, where he was presented before the court on the fresh charges, having been missing for a total of 19 days. This sequence of events highlights a concerning pattern of Uganda political re-arrest after bail.

The fresh charges before the Butambala Chief Magistrate's Court allege that on July 9, 2026, at Bugoye Village in Gombe Ward, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi and others incited members of the public to commit acts of violence against government officials and to overthrow the government. He is also accused of managing an unlawful society by allegedly organizing, encouraging, or supporting individuals to rise against and overthrow the government. Kivumbi and his co-accused vehemently deny these allegations.

These new accusations are distinct from the earlier terrorism-related case, which stems from alleged violence following the January 2026 general elections. That case includes allegations of attacks on Kibibi Police Station and the Butambala Electoral Commission tally centre, along with damage to the Butambala-Gomba Road and destruction of vehicles. Reacting to the latest Kivumbi release Uganda, NUP Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya welcomed the court's decision but expressed significant apprehension about the possibility of Kivumbi being re-arrested again, echoing past incidents.

This case involving Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi and his repeated detentions, followed by bail and subsequent re-arrests on new charges, underscores the persistent challenges faced by political figures in Uganda. It illustrates a cycle of prolonged detention, multiple bail proceedings, and the introduction of fresh charges even after initial freedom is secured, particularly in politically sensitive contexts. The NUP Deputy President bail saga exemplifies the complexities of navigating the legal system for opposition members.

His latest release marks another chapter in a legal saga characterized by prolonged detention, multiple bail proceedings, and the controversial re-arrest on new charges shortly after securing initial freedom. While Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi is currently out on bail, he continues to face the charges before the Butambala Chief Magistrate's Court, ensuring his legal battles are far from over.

This case underscores the persistent challenges and potential for re-arrest on fresh charges even after bail is granted in Uganda, particularly for political figures. Lawyers should advise clients on the heightened risks of sequential detentions and prepare strategies to challenge potential abuses of process in politically sensitive cases.

Source: Reporting based on Ugandan news outlets.