Amnesty International has condemned what it described as the enforced disappearance of former Butambala County Member of Parliament and National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy President for Buganda, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, who was allegedly taken by state security personnel on July 10, 2026.
In a statement released on Wednesday through Amnesty International Eastern Africa's X (formerly Twitter) account, the organisation said Kivumbi was seized less than 24 hours after the High Court granted him bail on July 9.
According to Amnesty International, Kivumbi was taken from his vehicle at a security roadblock in Mpigi District, about 40 kilometres from Kampala, and driven to an unknown location.
“To date, neither his family nor his lawyers have been able to reach him,” the statement read.
The organisation said the incident reflects what it described as a continuing pattern of arbitrary arrests, abductions, enforced disappearances and torture targeting opposition politicians and their supporters.
“His enforced disappearance indicates the continuation of a long and disturbing pattern of arbitrary arrests, abductions, enforced disappearances, and torture and ill-treatment of opposition members and supporters in Uganda,” the statement read.
Amnesty International called on the authorities to immediately disclose Kivumbi's whereabouts and release him unconditionally.
“Pending his release, they must ensure he has prompt access to his family, lawyers, any medical care he may require and that he is protected from torture and other ill-treatment,” the organisation said.
The development comes after the High Court in Kampala declined to immediately issue an order of habeas corpus and instead directed government to conclude investigations into Kivumbi's whereabouts and report back to court within seven days.
In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, Justice Collins Acellam ordered the Chief of Defence Forces, the Inspector General of Police, and the Attorney General to file affidavits detailing the outcome of investigations before the court determines whether to grant the habeas corpus application.
The matter was adjourned to July 29, 2026, for mention and further hearing.
In an affidavit sworn before court, Assistant Commissioner of Police Godwin Tumugumye stated that the Uganda Police Force has no record showing that Kivumbi was arrested or detained by the police.
The affidavit further stated that although Kivumbi's vehicle was stopped at a security checkpoint, he was neither arrested, abducted nor detained by the Uganda Police Force.
According to eyewitnesses, Kivumbi was intercepted on the afternoon of July 10 while travelling home after spending five months on remand over terrorism-related charges, which he denies.
Witnesses said his vehicle was stopped at a roadblock in Mpigi Town and directed off the main highway towards Mpigi Police Station.
They further alleged that as the vehicle turned off the road, armed men dressed in Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) uniforms, some with their faces covered, emerged and surrounded the vehicle before taking Kivumbi away.
Eyewitnesses said Kivumbi did not resist.
Journalists and supporters who attempted to follow the vehicle were reportedly prevented from doing so by security personnel.
The incident occurred shortly after Kivumbi had left his home, where hundreds of supporters had gathered to welcome him following his release on bail.
At around 3:30 p.m., he began travelling towards Kampala, stopping at several trading centres and market areas where supporters celebrated his release after months in custody.
The celebrations came to an abrupt halt when his convoy reached the security roadblock in Mpigi.
On July 9, the International Crimes Division of the High Court granted Kivumbi cash bail of Shs10 million after he fulfilled the conditions set by the court.
Kivumbi was initially arrested on January 22, 2026, over alleged acts of political violence linked to the January 15 general elections in Butambala District, during which at least ten people were reportedly killed.
He was later charged before the Butambala Chief Magistrate's Court, alongside 24 co-accused, with terrorism-related offences, charges he has consistently denied.
Amnesty International also referenced events it documented on April 30, alleging that on election night, soldiers stormed Kivumbi's residence as his election agents gathered to return declaration forms, resulting in the deaths of at least seven people.
The organisation urged Ugandan authorities to ensure that no one is subjected to arbitrary arrest, abduction, enforced disappearance, torture or other forms of ill-treatment.
“They must promptly, independently, and effectively investigate all reports of abductions and enforced disappearances, ensure those responsible are prosecuted in fair proceedings, and provide victims with effective remedies,” the statement said.
