The Butambala Chief Magistrate’s Court has remanded Butambala County MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, who also serves as the National Unity Platform (NUP) Vice President for the Central Region, to Kitalya Prison in connection with recent political violence in Butambala District.
Appearing before Chief Magistrate Deogratius Ssejjemba, Kivumbi was charged with terrorism over alleged attacks on a police station and a polling centre—incidents that reportedly left seven people dead. He was remanded until February 3.
The arrest was confirmed by Katonga Region Police Spokesperson Lydia Tumushabe, who said investigations are ongoing.
“The Uganda Police Force confirms the arrest of Hon. Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, the Butambala County legislator. He has been charged and remanded by court as investigations continue,” Tumushabe said.
She clarified that the arrest is linked to recent incidents of political unrest in Butambala District, adding that more details would be communicated as investigations progress.
Kivumbi is a prominent opposition figure and a senior leader within the National Unity Platform, where he also plays a key role in the party’s leadership in the Buganda region.
Prosecution, led by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Racheal Bikhole, told court that Kivumbi, together with other suspects still at large, engaged in acts intended to intimidate the Government of Uganda and the general public for political purposes.
Bikhole said the alleged acts occurred between November 11 and 17, 2025, in the Kibibi and Gombe areas of Butambala District. She further alleged that the suspects planned coordinated attacks targeting the Kibibi and Butambala police stations, as well as offices of the Electoral Commission within the district.
Last Sunday, President Yoweri Museveni accused Kivumbi of leading a group of supporters who allegedly attacked police officers and Electoral Commission officials during the polling process.
The incidents reportedly disrupted electoral activities in parts of the constituency and prompted security intervention. The ensuing clashes led to shootings that resulted in an undisclosed number of deaths. While several reports indicate that seven people were killed, Daily Star could not independently verify the figures.
The accused, however, claims that the shooters were targeting him but instead killed his supporters.
