NUP's Mufumbiro slapped with fresh charges of incitement

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National Unity Platform (NUP) deputy spokesperson, Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, was Wednesday (October 22) slapped with fresh charges of inciting the public to murder security personnel.

This happened on the day he was ordinarily supposed to appear before the Electoral Commission for his nomination for the Nakawa East parliamentary race. Instead, he was taken to Nakawa Chief Magistrates’  Court to plead to the new charges.

Mufumbiro appeared before Grade One Magistrate Frank Namanya and denied the count of incitement to commit an offence.

He had no sureties in court and was remanded to prison until November 6, as police inquiries continue.

It is alleged that on September 4 this year, the accused incited NUP supporters within Kampala city to commit an offence against Ugandan security personnel, to wit murder.

Meanwhile, Mufumbiro’s twin brother, Wilson Kato, confirmed that his brother was duly nominated on Wednesday to contest for the Nakawa East MP seat.

In a related development, jailed NUP supporters returned before the Kawempe Chief Magistrates' Court on Wednesday for the mention of their offences, particularly relating to engaging in military drills.

The group, with their lawyers, learnt that trial magistrate Damalie Agumasiimwe is indisposed and away from the duty station.

State Attorney Sharon Nambuya informed the court that inquiries are still ongoing.

Achileo Kivumbi and Edward Ssebuufu, alias Eddie Mutwe, both private bodyguards to NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, renewed their bid to bail by asking presiding Grade Two Magistrate Steven Waidhuuba to mandatorily release them, having clocked 68 days on remand without the commencement of trial.

The duo, through their lawyers, Samuel Muyiizi Mulindwa and Kato Tumusiime, argued that the law requires that any accused person who is not charged with a capital offense is entitled to be released on mandatory bail once he or she spends 60 days on remand or prison without trial.

Others include; Calvin Tasi aka Bobi Giant, Edwin Sserunkuuma aka Eddie King Kabenja, Sharif Lukenge, Yasin Nyanzi, Tonny Kaweesi, and Saudah Madaada.

Court documents indicate that Ssebuufu and Kivumbi have been imprisoned for 68 days since their first arraignment before the Kawempe court on August 14, 2025.

However, the prosecution team represented by Sharon Nambuya and Bruce Twongirwe are challenging the duo's application for mandatory bail on the grounds that a Grade Two magistrate has limited jurisdiction or powers to entertain the serious offences of Kivumbi and Mutwe, which carry a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment.

Magistrate Waidhuuba will make his ruling on whether or not to release the duo on bail on October 29.

The charge against the group stems from a viral video that showed several NUP supporters clad in red-like military decorated attire on a parade at the party headquarters at Makerere-Kavule on February 12 this year.

This was when NUP leader Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, celebrated his 42nd birthday. He was accompanied by his wife, Barbie Itungo, on the said inspection parade. 

After the video went viral, the army warned NUP supporters against engaging in military-like activities, saying whoever participated in the same would be prosecuted.

The footage showed a group of men in red attire with a military-like red beret appearing to engage in the drills, which the prosecution argued was unlawful because of lack of permission from the line minister.

The viral video showed Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu, a brother of Kyagulanyi, commanding the parade.

Nyanzi was arrested and interrogated over the matter. Following his release, he disclosed that he had mentioned the names of some of the people who had participated in the parade.

Charges and law

The prosecution alleges that the group and others still at large on February 12 this year at NUP offices in Makerere-Kavule, Kawempe Division, attended a gathering or an assembly that was aimed at training or drilling participants in military exercises, movements and evolutions, contrary to Section 45 of the Penal Code Act.

This legislation states that any person who, without the permission of the minister, trains or drills any other person in the use of arms or the practice of military exercises, movements or evolutions, commits the offence and on conviction he or she is liable to imprisonment for seven years.

Similarly, a person who is present at any meeting or assembly of persons held without the permission of the minister for the purpose of training or drilling any other persons to the use of arms or the practice of military exercises, movements or evolutions also commits the offence, except that on conviction such a person is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.