ormer Butambala County MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi on Wednesday walked out of custody after the International Crimes Division (ICD) of the High Court granted him bail in the terrorism case in which he is jointly charged with several co-accused.
Justice Susan Okalany ordered Kivumbi to execute a cash bail of Shs10 million, while each of the other successful applicants was granted bail on a Shs1 million cash bond. Six of the accused, however, remained on remand after failing to present acceptable sureties and are expected to return to court once new sureties are secured.
Temporary relief
The decision brings temporary relief to Kivumbi, a senior National Unity Platform (NUP) leader and former legislator, who has spent months on remand over terrorism charges linked to post-election violence in Butambala District.
Outside court, jubilant relatives, party supporters and lawyers welcomed the ruling, describing it as an important step toward ensuring the constitutional right to liberty while the accused await trial.NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, who stood surety for Kivumbi during the bail proceedings, hailed the ruling but said the party would continue demanding justice for all those still in detention.
“We welcome the decision of the court to grant bail to Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi and the others. Bail is a constitutional right, not a favour. However, our joy is incomplete because six of our colleagues remain behind bars simply because they could not secure acceptable sureties. We shall continue working to ensure they also regain their freedom,” Rubongoya said.
Kivumbi thanked the court, his legal team, family and supporters for standing by him throughout his incarceration.”I thank God for bringing me this far. I also thank my lawyers, my family, my party and all Ugandans who stood with us during this difficult period. My release on bail is not the end of this matter. I remain committed to clearing my name through the legal process because I know I am innocent,” Kivumbi said.
He urged supporters to remain peaceful and respect the court process. “We must continue believing in justice. I shall faithfully comply with all the bail conditions and continue to defend the truth through lawful means,” he added.
Ssegona welcomes ruling
Lead defence lawyer Medard Lubega Sseggona welcomed the ruling, saying the court had reaffirmed the constitutional principle that an accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”The court has recognised that prolonged detention cannot replace a trial. Bail is a constitutional entitlement where the conditions are satisfied, and today justice has prevailed for our clients who met those requirements,” Sseggona said.
Another member of the defence team, Samuel Muyizzi Mulindwa, said attention would now shift to securing the release of the remaining accused persons.”We are grateful that court appreciated our arguments. Unfortunately, six applicants remain on remand because their sureties were not accepted. We shall immediately prepare fresh sureties so that they can also exercise their constitutional right to bail,” Muyizzi said.
The prosecution did not publicly comment immediately after the ruling.
Kivumbi and his co-accused face terrorism charges arising from alleged attacks on Kibibi Police Station and the Butambala Electoral Commission tally centre during the violence that followed the January 2026 General Election. Prosecutors allege the attacks were intended to intimidate the government and resulted in loss of life and destruction of property. The accused deny the allegations.
The former legislator, who also serves as NUP vice president for Central Uganda, had argued in his bail application that he had spent several months on remand without the case being committed for trial and that he has permanent places of residence, substantial sureties and no previous criminal convictions.
His release follows weeks of bail proceedings before the International Crimes Division, during which the defence challenged the prolonged remand of the accused while investigations continued.
Although Kivumbi and several co-accused have now regained their freedom, the terrorism case itself remains active. They are expected to return to court on dates that will be fixed by the International Crimes Division as the prosecution prepares to proceed with trial.
The six accused persons whose sureties were rejected will remain in custody until they return to court with fresh sureties for consideration
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- Charles Gazza Kodili is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication. He’s currently the Chief Editor at the Investigator.
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