The prosecution team led by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Thomas Jatiko and Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka on Monday raised no objection to the suitability of five sureties presented by the defence team for former Butambala County MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi as his bail application commenced before the International Crimes Division (ICD) of the High Court in Kampala.
Kivumbi’s defence team, comprising lawyers Medard Sseggona, Samuel Muyizzi and Luyimbaazi Nalukoola, presented five sureties to support his application for temporary release pending trial on terrorism charges.
The sureties include Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, NUP Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya, Kivumbi’s elder brother Yasin Lutaaya, and his two sisters.
Although the prosecution scrutinised the documents submitted before court, Jatiko and Birivumbuka did not challenge the credentials or substantiality of any of the individuals presented as sureties.
The development came as the ICD commenced hearing bail applications filed by Kivumbi and 23 co-accused persons jointly charged with terrorism-related offences arising from incidents that allegedly occurred following Uganda’s January 2026 presidential elections.
Proceedings started after a delay caused by the late arrival of government prosecutors, who informed court that they had been engaged in another high-profile matter.
Earlier, court officials, in consultation with both defence and prosecution lawyers, implemented measures to reduce congestion in the courtroom amid concerns related to Ebola prevention.
During the hearing, defence lawyer Medard Sseggona told court that the accused persons were arrested in January and have remained in custody while investigations continue.
Sseggona argued that the prolonged detention of the accused without committal to the High Court justified their release on bail pending the completion of investigations and trial proceedings.
Kivumbi’s co-accused also presented their respective sureties, with each accused person producing at least two individuals willing to guarantee their appearance whenever required by court.
While the prosecution did not challenge Kivumbi’s proposed sureties, state attorneys indicated that they reserved the right to oppose the bail applications on other legal grounds during the proceedings.
The court later adjourned briefly to allow the prosecution to verify documents submitted by the sureties before the hearing resumed.
The bail hearing continues before the International Crimes Division, with a ruling expected after both the defence and prosecution conclude their submissions.
Kivumbi and 23 others are facing terrorism charges linked to events that allegedly occurred in the aftermath of Uganda’s January 2026 presidential elections. The accused have consistently denied the charges.
The case has attracted significant political and public attention, drawing supporters, family members and senior officials of the National Unity Platform to court.
