Questions mount over Muwanga Kivumbi’s whereabouts
Questions mount over Muwanga Kivumbi's whereabouts
KAMPALA, Uganda – Questions are growing over the whereabouts of former Butambala County MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, who has not been seen in public for 10 days after reportedly being intercepted by security operatives shortly after being granted bail in a treason case.
The latest concerns were raised by National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, who alleged that Kivumbi may have been tortured while in detention.
However, the claims have not been independently verified, and neither the Uganda Police Force nor the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has publicly confirmed where Kivumbi is or whether he is being held by any security agency.
In a statement shared on social media on Monday, Bobi Wine said the party had received what he described as “disturbing reports” alleging that Kivumbi was tortured at Kasenyi Special Forces Command (SFC) barracks and was being kept away from the public while receiving treatment.
“We’ve received disturbing reports alleging that Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi was tortured to near death at Kasenyi SFC military barracks and is now being hidden from the public while receiving treatment before he can be produced,” Bobi Wine said.
NUP president said such reports should not be ignored, claiming that several opposition figures had previously experienced similar situations after arrest.
He questioned why Kivumbi had remained unaccounted for since his reported interception.
Kivumbi, who is also the Deputy President of NUP for Buganda Region, was granted bail by the International Crimes Division of the High Court on 10 July 2026 in a treason case.
According to his lawyers and NUP officials, he was intercepted the following day near Mpigi Police Station while travelling back to Kampala.
Witnesses said he was taken away by security personnel shortly after his release.
Since then, his family and legal team say they have been unable to establish where he is being held.
Uganda Police spokesperson ACP Rusoke Kituuma has previously said police cannot confirm Kivumbi’s whereabouts.
Kituuma said that if Kivumbi was in the custody of any security agency, he would be produced before court at the appropriate time.
However, no security agency has publicly acknowledged detaining the opposition legislator.
UPDF has also not issued a public response to Bobi Wine’s latest allegations at the time of publication.
Who is Muwanga Kivumbi?
Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi is a lawyer and opposition politician who represented Butambala County in Uganda’s Parliament.
He is a senior leader in the National Unity Platform, the party led by Bobi Wine, and serves as its Deputy President for Buganda Region.
Kivumbi has been one of the government’s outspoken critics, frequently raising concerns about governance, accountability, human rights and security matters.
Kivumbi was arrested on 22 January 2026 and charged with treason and related offences following violence that prosecutors said occurred after the 15 January general elections.
Prosecution alleges that between 11 and 17 January 2026, Kivumbi and others participated in acts intended to intimidate the government for political purposes.
The charges include allegations that the accused attacked Kibibi Police Station, targeted the Butambala Electoral Commission tally centre, damaged roads and destroyed vehicles.
Kivumbi has denied the allegations, with his lawyers arguing that the charges are politically motivated.
The uncertainty surrounding Kivumbi’s whereabouts has triggered calls from opposition leaders, lawyers and human rights organisations for authorities to provide answers.
His legal team says every detained person has constitutional rights, including the right to know the reason for their detention and to be presented before a competent court within the required timeframe.
As questions continue over Kivumbi’s whereabouts, pressure is mounting on authorities to provide clarity.
