Butambala County Member of Parliament Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi on Friday appeared before the Chief Magistrate’s court where he was slapped with terrorism-related charges arising from alleged post-election violence that security agencies say resulted in the deaths of seven people.
Kivumbi, who was arrested earlier on Tuesday this week, was produced before the magistrate under heightened security. Prosecutors allege that the legislator plotted and executed acts of violence following the January 15 General Election, which they claim directly led to multiple fatalities.
In court, the presiding Magistrate formally read out the charges, stating that the alleged acts of violence occurred after the elections and resulted in the deaths of seven people. The court heard that the violence included attacks on polling stations and the blocking of major roads, which prosecutors described as acts of terrorism.
During the proceedings, Kivumbi requested more time to consult his lawyers, telling court that he had not been allowed adequate access to his legal team while in custody. The magistrate granted a temporary adjournment to allow him consult counsel and access relevant materials, and the matter was stood over to 4:00 pm.
When the session resumed,Kivumbi informed court that his lawyers had not yet arrived and requested an additional one-hour adjournment. The prosecution objected, arguing that the accused had already been granted access to legal representation and asked court to fix the matter for mention on February 3, 2026.
The court agreed with the prosecution and ordered that the matter be mentioned on February 3 as preparations continue to handle the case.
Kivumbi also challenged the prosecution’s narrative, disputing claims that seven people were killed as a result of the alleged violence. He told court that at least ten of his supporters were killed at his residence, insisting they were campaign agents and not perpetrators of any attacks.
The legislator further asked court to allow the proceedings to be conducted through a video hearing, arguing that the public should be allowed to see the evidence and understand what he described as a smear campaign against him.
The presiding magistrate noted that the case involves serious offences and directed that it will be handled by the High Court.
The Uganda Police Force explained in a statement that Kivumbi was arrested in connection with electoral violence. Police accused the MP of ferrying supporters from Kampala and Nansana in Wakiso districts to attack polling stations and police posts using machetes. Police further stated that the deceased were killed during confrontations with security operatives.
President Yoweri Museveni has previously accused Kivumbi and other opposition supporters of planning violent attacks in areas where they lost elections, including Butambala.