The International Crimes Division of the High Court has granted bail to National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy President for the Central Region and Butambala County MP, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, along with his 23 co-accused who are facing terrorism charges.
Justice Susan Okalany on Wednesday, July 9, ordered Kivumbi’s release on a cash bail of Shs10 million after finding that his sureties were substantial. His 23 co-accused were each granted cash bail of Shs1 million.
The accused filed their bail application on May 4, arguing that the offences they face are bailable by the High Court. They told court that despite making several appearances before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Butambala, they had neither been committed to the High Court for trial nor given a hearing date due to what they described as prolonged police investigations.
In their application, the accused maintained that they have no previous criminal convictions, are law-abiding citizens, and would comply with all bail conditions if released. They also stated that they have permanent places of residence, reliable sureties, and pose no flight risk.
According to court records, Kivumbi’s co-accused were arrested between January 2 and January 14, 2026, before being arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Butambala on January 20. They were initially charged with inciting violence and malicious damage to property before being remanded to Kabasanda Government Prison, Mpigi Women’s Prison and Naguru Remand Home for juveniles.
Kivumbi was separately arraigned on January 21, 2026, on charges of terrorism contrary to Sections 6(1)(a) and 3(a) of the Anti-Terrorism Act and was remanded to Kitalya Prison. The offence carries a maximum sentence of death upon conviction.
Court documents indicate that when the co-accused returned to court on February 3, the prosecution withdrew the earlier charges of inciting violence and malicious damage to property and substituted them with terrorism charges.
The charges arise from violence that erupted in Butambala during the January 15, 2026, general elections, in which seven people were reportedly killed. During the elections, Kivumbi contested for the Butambala County parliamentary seat but lost to independent candidate Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi.
In his affidavit, Kivumbi described himself as a 52-year-old family man and statesman with more than three decades of leadership experience.
Kivumbi further informed the court that he had substantial sureties willing to stand for him, including Joel Ssenyonyi, David Lewis Rubongoya, and family members Sarah Lutaaya, Musa Lutaaya and Fatuma Lutaaya. The case remains pending before the International Crimes Division of the High Court.
