KAMPALA, Uganda — Former Butambala County Member of Parliament Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi and 16 co-accused have been granted bail after spending nearly six months in detention on terrorism-related charges linked to violence that occurred during Uganda’s 2026 election period.
In a ruling delivered by Justice Susan Okalany of the International Crimes Division (ICD) of the High Court, Kivumbi was granted cash bail of Shs10 million, while each of his three sureties was ordered to execute a non-cash bond of Shs5 million.
The court also released 16 other accused persons on cash bail of Shs1 million each, with their sureties required to execute non-cash bonds worth Shs5 million.
The ruling marks a significant legal victory for the opposition politician and his co-accused, who have consistently maintained their innocence since their arrest in January.
As part of the conditions attached to his release, Kivumbi was ordered to surrender his passport to the court and report monthly to the registrar of the International Crimes Division.
The former legislator and the other accused must also report to the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Butambala every month and are prohibited from travelling outside Uganda without prior court approval.
Justice Okalany emphasised that the accused must remain available throughout the proceedings as investigations and prosecution continue.
The court deferred bail applications for six co-accused after finding their proposed sureties insufficient.
Those whose applications were postponed include Kelvin Kayanja, Brian Ssewanyana, Brian Muwanguzi, Ivan Akankwasa, Yusuf Ramathan Kiwanuka and Brian Owori.
They were directed to present new sureties and return to court on July 13.
The judge also urged prosecutors to accelerate investigations and move the case forward.
“If the applicants are not committed for trial within one year from the date of this ruling, they may apply to the court for review of the bail terms and conditions,” Justice Okalany ruled.
Kivumbi and his co-accused applied for bail in May through Alaka & Company Advocates and Lukwago & Company Advocates, arguing that their continued detention had become excessive and unconstitutional.
In his affidavit, Kivumbi said he is a family man with permanent residences in both Wakiso and Butambala districts and pledged to comply with all court requirements.
The defence team, led by veteran lawyer and former Busiro East MP Medard Lubega Sseggona, argued that the accused had strong community ties and were not flight risks.
Among Kivumbi’s sureties were Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, his sister Sarah Lutaaya and his brother Musa Lutaaya.
Lawyers further argued that the accused had consistently appeared before court since their arrests and should benefit from the constitutional presumption of innocence.
The Director of Public Prosecutions opposed the application through Detective Assistant Superintendent of Police John Mary Lwebuga, the lead investigator in the case.
The prosecution argued that investigations remained active and that releasing the accused could interfere with witnesses and evidence.
State lawyers also challenged claims regarding the accused persons’ residences and economic ties and questioned the suitability of several proposed sureties.
In relation to Kivumbi, prosecutors disputed his description of himself as a statesman, noting that he no longer serves as a Member of Parliament or chairperson of the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE).
The prosecution maintained that the seriousness of the charges created a significant risk that some accused persons could abscond.
Despite those objections, Justice Okalany found that the applicants had met the legal threshold for bail.
The court reiterated that the accused remain innocent until proven guilty and that bail is a constitutional right subject to reasonable conditions.
Legal analysts note that Ugandan courts have increasingly stressed the need to balance public interest with the constitutional rights of accused persons, particularly in cases involving prolonged remand detention.
The case arises from allegations that Kivumbi and his co-accused orchestrated attacks on Kibibi Police Station and the Butambala Electoral Commission tally centre during the January 2026 election period.
According to prosecutors, the alleged attacks were intended to intimidate members of the public and disrupt government operations.
Also Read: MP Kivumbi arrested after Museveni links him and NUP to ‘panga’ attacks
The prosecution alleges that the incidents resulted in the destruction of public property, damage to vehicles and the deaths of seven people.
The accused deny the allegations.
Thursday’s proceedings attracted significant public attention, with supporters of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) gathering at court in support of the accused.
Several MPs and senior party officials attended the hearing, while security was reinforced by personnel from the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force.
The case remains one of the most politically sensitive criminal proceedings currently before Uganda’s courts, given Kivumbi’s prominence within the opposition and the serious nature of the charges.
The accused are expected to continue appearing before the International Crimes Division as investigations progress toward trial.
