The Butambala Chief Magistrate’s Court on Monday was placed under tight security as Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, the Member of Parliament for Butambala County and Deputy President of the National Unity Platform (NUP) for Buganda, appeared before court to answer terrorism-related charges.
At about 2:00pm, a convoy of vehicles arrived at the court premises, beginning with a car ferrying the government prosecutor and case files from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Roughly ten minutes later, additional vehicles escorted by officers from the Joint Anti-Terrorism (JAT) unit delivered Kivumbi to court under heavy security deployment.
Kivumbi was escorted into the main courtroom without handcuffs. However, shortly after proceedings commenced, Chief Magistrate Deogratius Ssejjemba directed that he be placed in the dock.
While presenting the prosecution’s case, Assistant DPP Racheal Bikhole told court that Kivumbi and other suspects still at large allegedly committed acts intended to intimidate the Government of Uganda and the public for political purposes.
According to the prosecution, the alleged acts occurred between November 11 and November 17 in the areas of Kibibi and Gombe in Butambala District.
The suspects are accused of planning attacks on the Kibibi and Butambala police stations, as well as offices of the Electoral Commission in the district.
The prosecution further alleged that the unrest resulted in the destruction of vehicles and other property, and that seven people lost their lives during the incidents.
The deceased were identified as Sarah Nagayi, Aisha Nabukenya, Milly Nampereza, Ruth Nakanjako, Abdul Nuru Nsamu, Shafik Miro and Davis Basaliza.
Before the charges were formally read to him, Kivumbi sought the court’s permission to consult his legal team and asked for the return of his mobile phone.
The prosecution objected, arguing that the phone was still being held as part of ongoing investigations.
Chief Magistrate Ssejjemba subsequently halted proceedings for one hour to allow Kivumbi access to legal representation.
The case is expected to resume after the recess.
