National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, has welcomed the granting of bail to the party's deputy president for Buganda, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, describing it as relief after months of detention without trial.
Kyagulanyi made the remarks on Thursday, hours after the International Crimes Division of the High Court granted Kivumbi bail following 169 days on remand over terrorism charges arising from the January 15, 2026 post-election violence in Butambala District.
In a statement, Kyagulanyi said Kivumbi's release was a welcome development and thanked judicial officers whom he said had remained committed to their constitutional duties.
"A short while ago, I spoke with Hon. Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, our NUP Deputy President for Buganda Region. What a delight to see that after several months, he is out of unlawful detention without trial - at least temporarily," Kyagulanyi said.
He maintained that Kivumbi was innocent and accused security agencies of failing to hold accountable those responsible for violence that occurred in Butambala.
"As everyone knows, Hon. Kivumbi never committed any offence. The criminals who attacked his home and murdered people are the ones who should be answering for their crimes - and I believe they will, at the right time," he said.
Kyagulanyi added: "For now, we welcome him back, and the other comrades he was detained with."
The NUP leader also praised judicial officers who, he said, continue to apply the law despite what he described as intimidation.
"It is always a great delight to see that even in the midst of so much rot, there are still judicial officers who will rise above the pervasive intimidation and live to their oath," he said.
Kivumbi, a former Butambala County Member of Parliament, was arrested in January and detained at Kitalya Prison as he faced terrorism charges linked to violence reported in Butambala during the election period.
Prosecution alleges that Kivumbi and his co-accused participated in attacks on Kibibi Police Station and the Butambala Electoral Commission tally centre, resulting in destruction of property, damage to vehicles and the deaths of seven people.
Kivumbi and his co-accused have denied the allegations.
During the bail hearing, the prosecution opposed his release, arguing that investigations were still ongoing and that he could interfere with witnesses if granted temporary freedom.
The defence team, however, argued that Kivumbi had fixed places of residence, credible sureties and had spent a considerable period on remand without trial.
The court granted bail to Kivumbi and 16 other accused persons, while six of their co-accused remain on remand. The specific bail conditions had not yet been released by the court.
