The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Butambala District has ordered the prosecution to file committal papers in the terrorism case involving Butambala County MP Mohammed Muwanga Kivumbi and 24 others, in a move aimed at fast-tracking the transfer of the matter to the High Court.
The directive was issued on Tuesday by Magistrate Deogratias Ssejjemba after the state failed to present the required documents, triggering tense exchanges between the prosecution and defence teams.
During the hearing, state attorney Salaama Nabbosa told court that the case file had been returned to police for further review, citing complaints allegedly raised by some of the accused persons.
The prosecution then applied for an adjournment to allow time for the review process to be completed.
However, the defence, led by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, strongly opposed the request, arguing that they had not been formally informed of any such developments.
Lukwago questioned the credibility of the prosecution’s explanation and asked court to compel the state to proceed in line with earlier directives.
Tensions escalated further when the prosecution claimed that relatives of two suspects—Nicholas Walakira and Calvin Kayanja—had petitioned the Directorate of Public Prosecutions seeking a change of legal representation.
Defence lawyer Samuel Muyizzi dismissed the claim, telling court that the accused had not authorised any third party to act on their behalf. The two suspects were subsequently allowed to address court and both denied any knowledge of the alleged complaints, contradicting the prosecution’s account.
In his ruling, Magistrate Ssejjemba expressed concern over what he described as the prosecution’s failure to comply with court directives and the inconsistencies in its submissions. He ordered the state to ensure that all committal papers are filed without further delay.
The court set May 15 as the deadline for the prosecution to present all required documentation to facilitate the committal of the case to the High Court, where serious offences such as terrorism are tried under Ugandan law.
The case has attracted significant public attention, given that it involves a sitting Member of Parliament and multiple co-accused facing terrorism-related charges. Two of the suspects, both juveniles, were previously granted bail.
Proceedings are expected to resume next month as the court awaits compliance from the prosecution, in a case that continues to test both procedural discipline and prosecutorial readiness within Uganda’s criminal justice system.
