NUP’s Mufumbiro petitions Chief Justice for bail to attend wife's funeral

KAMPALA - Incarcerated National Unity Platform Deputy Spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro has petitioned the Chief Justice, Dr Flavian Zeija, through the Officer in Charge of Luzira Upper Prison, for temporary release to attend the burial of his wife.

Edith Katende Mufumbiro passed away earlier today (Wednesday) after battling cancer.
In his letter dated April 8, 2026, Mufumbiro informed Justice Zeija about the final days of his late wife.

“As her condition deteriorated and it became clear that she would not recover, Edith, in the presence of my family members, expressed her last and most earnest wish: that I be by her side and that I be permitted to lay her to rest.”

He also informed the CJ that Edith has been battling cancer "for a considerable time.”

Mufumbiro reminded the Chief Justice that he is accused number 8 in criminal case number 1363 of 2025 and also an accused in criminal case number 147 of 2026 before the Chief Magistrate Court of Kawempe at Kanyanya, and he was on remand in Luzira Upper Prison.

“Under case number 1363 of 2025, I am charged with unlawful drilling before Her Worship Damalie Aguma Asiimwe, and despite several applications for bail through my lawyers, including a mandatory bail application, my requests have not been successful,” he said.

“Subsequently, and while still in incarceration, I was also charged with incitement to commit an offence vide Criminal Case number 147of 2026 before Her Worship Doreen Ainembabazi, and I will be appearing in Court again on April 10, 2026, at 9:00 am for bail ruling,” Mufumbiro added.

“I pray that you entreat the Chief Magistrate, Kawempe Chief Magistrate Court and the Grade One as their immediate supervisor to grant me bail to be able to bury my wife, ” he pleaded to CJ.

He further stated, “I approach Your Lordship not as a man who disregards the law, but as a man who is taking the law in its most human and dignified expression to permit me one final act of love to my wife. I am willing to abide by the release conditions that you will deem necessary in the circumstances.”

His letter was copied to the Principal Judge, Director Public Prosecution, Chief Magistrate Kawempe and Alma Associated Advocates.

At the time of filing this article, Wednesday evening, the response from CJ had not been made public. 

Prison speaks out

Prison Spokesperson Frank Baine said they had no power to release Mufumbiro to go bury his wife unless cleared by the court of law.

“If court grants him bail, we will let him go bury. We don’t have any provision allowing a prisoner to go to bury. You can’t guarantee his security,” Baine said. He advised Mufumbiro to peruse his remedy of either getting a temporary or permanent bail from court.

Mufumbiro’s arrest

Mufumbiro was arrested by security outside Kawempe Magistrates Court by plainclothes operatives in September last year, while he was together with other NUP officials, witnessing the hearing of Eddie Mutwe’s case.

His arrest follows similar arrests of NUP supporters in different parts of the country. He was later charged alongside several others and remanded.

Edith Katende Mufumbiro's Funeral Program  

Thursday April 9: Requiem mass at St. Paul's Cathedral Namirembe at 10:00am and vigil at Mufumbiro home in Mutungo at Magembe Estate.

On Friday, April 10, church service at 11:00 am, Luzira Church of Uganda and later vigil in Busiro village, Luuka district.

Saturday, April 11, burial at Busiro village in Luuka district.