NUP's Kivumbi, 23 others seek bail in terrorism charges

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National Unity Platform (NUP) deputy president (central region), Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi and 23 others, who are facing charges of terrorism, have applied for bail before the International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kampala.

In their bail application filed on May 4, the accused argue that the offences are bailable by the High Court. 

They contend that despite several appearances at the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Butambala, they have neither been committed to the High Court for trial nor given a hearing date, which they attribute to prolonged investigations by the prosecution.

The accused further state that they have good antecedents, have never been convicted of any criminal offence and are law-abiding citizens who will comply with bail conditions if released.

They also told the court that they have permanent places of residence, substantial sureties and will not abscond from trial.

“It is in the interest of justice, fairness and the constitutional doctrine of presumption of innocence that the applicants be granted bail,” Kivumbi stated in his affidavit.

Court documents indicate that the applicants were arrested between January 2 and January 14, 2026, before being arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Butambala on January 20, 2026.

They were initially charged with incitement of violence and malicious damage to property and later remanded to Kabasanda Government Prison, Mpigi Women’s Prison and Naguru Remand Home for juveniles until February 3, 2026.

On January 21, 2026, Kivumbi was separately arraigned before the same court on charges of terrorism contrary to sections 6(1)(a) and 3(a) of the Anti-Terrorism Act and remanded to Kitalya Prison. The offence carries a maximum sentence of death upon conviction.

The terrorism charges stem from violence and the deaths of seven people in Butambala during the January 15, 2026, General Election, in which Ugandans voted for the President and Members of Parliament.

Kivumbi, who contested for the Butambala County parliamentary seat, lost to independent candidate Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi. 

Court records further show that when the other accused persons returned to court on February 3, 2026, the prosecution withdrew the earlier charges of incitement of violence and malicious damage to property and substituted them with terrorism charges.

In his affidavit, Kivumbi describes himself as a senior citizen aged 52, a family man and a statesman with a leadership record spanning more than three decades.

“I have no criminal record of conviction, and I am a law-abiding citizen who not only upholds the rule of law but is also a fervent defender of the same,” he stated.

Kivumbi also informed court that he has substantial sureties willing to stand for him, including the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, NUP secretary general David Lewis Rubongoya, Sarah Lutaaya, Musa Lutaaya and Fatuma Lutaaya.

“If released on bail, I will continue to discharge my constitutional duties for the people of Butambala,” Kivumbi stated.