NUP’s Kivumbi bail hearing delayed by prosecutor symposium

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The International Crimes Division of the High Court has postponed the bail hearing for the National Unity Platform (NUP) deputy president for Buganda region, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, and his 23 co-accused because state attorneys were attending the prosecutors’ symposium.

Justice Susan Okalany adjourned the hearing of the bail application today (May 25) and rescheduled it for next Monday.

The three-day symposium, being held starting today (May 25) at Hotel Africana under the theme “Enhancing Professionalism for Responsive Prosecution Services,” has brought together state attorneys and other justice sector stakeholders from across the country. The event is being organised by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

In their bail application filed on May 4, the accused, who are battling charges of terrorism, 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 police.

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 inciting 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 death 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 inciting 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 outgoing Leader of Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi, National Unity Platform (NUP) secretary general David Lewis Rubongoya, and other NUP members; 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.