Muwanga Kivumbi Remanded to Kitalya Prison on Fresh Inciting Violence Charges
KAMPALA, Uganda — 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 Butambala Chief Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, hours after resurfacing at Nateete Police Station following 19 days incommunicado detention.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged offences were committed on July 9, 2026, at Bugoye Village in Gombe Ward, Gombe Town Council, Butambala District.
Kivumbi Faces Fresh Charges
Prosecution alleges that Kivumbi and other suspects who are still at large unlawfully incited members of the public during a public gathering to commit acts of violence against government officials.
The state further alleges that Kivumbi encouraged members of the public to support a plan to wage war against the government and seize power.
He is also accused of managing an unlawful society by allegedly organising, encouraging and supporting people to rise against and unlawfully overthrow the Government of Uganda.
The allegations have not been tested in court, and Kivumbi is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Kivumbi Resurfaces After 19 Days in Detention
Kivumbi was reportedly brought to Nateete Police Station at about 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday by operatives attached to the Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JATT).
He was subsequently transferred to Butambala to face the new charges.
The former MP appeared in court looking visibly weak and was accompanied by members of his family and his legal team.
His lawyer, Medard Lubega Ssegona, said the defence and Kivumbi’s family had not been informed where he had been held during the 19-day period.
According to Ssegona, Kivumbi was allegedly blindfolded, taken to an unknown location and severely beaten while in detention.
Defence Alleges Torture
During the court proceedings, Kivumbi reportedly told the magistrate that he had been tortured and displayed injuries on his arms, back and head.
He also told the court that he required urgent medical attention.
Ssegona said Kivumbi had received treatment to stop bleeding but had not undergone a recommended head scan because the necessary equipment was reportedly unavailable.
The torture allegations have not been independently established.
Court Defers Bail Decision
Kivumbi’s defence team presented several substantial sureties in support of his bail application, including Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi.
However, the magistrate remanded Kivumbi to Kitalya Prison until August 11, 2026, to give the prosecution time to verify the documents submitted by his sureties.
The defence also asked the court to consider the bail application immediately, but the matter was deferred.
Ssegona criticised the decision, arguing that the Constitution guarantees the right to freedom and that the prosecution should demonstrate why an accused person should remain in custody once bail requirements have been met.
Kivumbi’s Earlier Arrest and Bail
The latest charges come months after Kivumbi was initially arrested on January 22, 2026, over allegations linked to violence following Uganda’s January 15 general elections.
Prosecution previously alleged that between January 11 and 17, 2026, Kivumbi and others participated in acts intended to intimidate the government for political purposes in Kibibi and Gombe town councils.
The allegations included attacks on Kibibi Police Station and the Butambala Electoral Commission tally centre, damage to the Butambala–Gomba road and destruction of vehicles.
Kivumbi was later granted bail by the International Crimes Division of the High Court, but he was reportedly re-arrested the following day by unidentified security operatives.
Supporters Question Fresh Charges
Kivumbi’s supporters have questioned the timing of the new charges and believe they could be connected to statements he allegedly made after securing bail.
According to his supporters, Kivumbi strongly criticised several senior government officials, including President Yoweri Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni, Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and former Speaker Anita Among.
The new case adds to growing legal challenges facing the NUP politician, who remains in custody at Kitalya Prison pending further court proceedings.
The matter is expected to return to court on August 11, when the status of the sureties and Kivumbi’s bail application will be considered.
