Muwanga Kivumbi Charged With Incitement to Violence
Muwanga Kivumbi Charged With Incitement to Violence
Former Butambala County Member of Parliament Muwanga Kivumbi has been charged with incitement to violence and remanded to Kitalya Prison after appearing before Butambala Magistrate’s Court.
Kivumbi was brought before court on Wednesday, days after resurfacing at Nateete Police Station following nearly three weeks in which his whereabouts were unknown to his family, lawyers and political allies.
Court heard charges against him, after which he was remanded until 11 August 2026, when the court is expected to consider his bail application.
According to his political allies, Kivumbi was also charged with managing an unlawful society. However, details of the charges are yet to be fully outlined by the prosecution.
During the court appearance, Kivumbi reportedly told the court that he had suffered physical abuse during the period he was held incommunicado.
The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, said Kivumbi informed court that he had been beaten several times during his 19 days in detention and sustained a head injury that resulted in heavy bleeding.
Ssenyonyi accused security agencies of violating Kivumbi’s rights and said such actions damage Uganda’s international reputation.
Authorities have not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
Kivumbi’s court appearance follows days of uncertainty over his whereabouts after his lawyers and family raised concerns that he had been taken into custody without access to legal representation or relatives.
The former legislator resurfaced at Nateete Police Station after security officials reportedly delivered him there, shortly after the High Court directed senior security officials to account for his disappearance.
High Court had ordered the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Attorney General to provide explanations regarding his whereabouts.
Kivumbi’s disappearance occurred shortly after he was granted bail by the International Crimes Division of the High Court in a separate case.
He had spent months on remand over allegations related to terrorism offences before being granted bail.
His lawyers and opposition colleagues said he was taken away shortly after his release, raising questions about whether proper legal procedures had been followed.
His appearance at the police station has drawn criticism from opposition leaders, with calls for authorities to respect constitutional rights and ensure due process.
Kivumbi’s supporters have described the charges as politically motivated, while authorities maintain that criminal matters should proceed through the courts.
His case is expected to continue attracting attention as the court considers his bail application on 11 August.
