The International Crimes Division of the High Court has granted bail to National Unity Platform (NUP) deputy president for Buganda, Muwanga Kivumbi, along with 17 co-accused in an ongoing terrorism case.
Kivumbi, who has been on remand since January 2026, was granted a cash bail of Shs 10 million. However, six of his co-accused were denied bail and directed to present fresh, substantial sureties before reapplying.
Kivumbi has been ordered to surrender his passport and all travel documents to court immediately and is barred from leaving the country without court approval.
He and his co-accused are required to report to both the Butambala Chief Magistrate’s Court and the International Crimes Division (ICD) of the High Court once every month, specifically on the last Friday of each month. However, once the state formally commits the case to the High Court, they will no longer be required to appear before the Butambala court.
The group is facing terrorism charges linked to alleged attacks on a police station and a polling centre in Butambala district, incidents that reportedly left seven people dead.
According to the prosecution, led by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Racheal Bikhole, Kivumbi and others still at large allegedly engaged in acts intended to intimidate the government and the general public for political purposes.
The prosecution contends that the alleged acts occurred between November 11 and 17, 2025, in Kibibi and Gombe areas in Butambala district. The suspects are accused of planning and executing coordinated attacks targeting Kibibi and Butambala police stations, as well as offices of the Electoral Commission in the district.
In February, 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 a security response. The ensuing clashes led to shootings that resulted in several deaths. While multiple reports suggest that seven people were killed, this could not be independently verified.
Kivumbi is a prominent opposition figure and a senior leader within the NUP, where he plays a key role in mobilising support in the Buganda region.
The case is expected to continue before the International Crimes Division.
More details to follow.
