MUWANGA KIVUMBI REARRESTED: Former MP Rearrested Hours After Winning Bail. The Arrest Came After Telling Rally First Lady Was “Gone”, Museveni Was “Finished” and Branding Muhoozi a “Drunkard”

Just hours after walking free on bail and defiantly declaring that prison had only strengthened his resolve, former Butambala Member of Parliament and National Unity Platform (NUP) vice president for Buganda Muwanga Kivumbi has once again found himself in the hands of security agencies following a blistering attack on members of Uganda’s First Family.

The rearrest comes barely hours after The Investigatorexclusively reported on Kivumbi’s highly controversial address delivered at his ancestral home in Butambala, where the opposition politician launched an unprecedented verbal assault against President Yoweri Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

Security sources confirmed that Kivumbi was picked up following what investigators describe as “defamatory and inflammatory utterances” made during the rally attended by hundreds of jubilant supporters who had gathered to celebrate his release from prison.

The latest development dramatically escalates political tensions and raises fresh questions over the legal consequences of political speeches in an already charged pre-election environment.

From Bail to Another Arrest

Kivumbi had barely enjoyed a full day of freedom after the International Crimes Division of the High Court granted him bail on treason-related charges alongside several co-accused.His release sparked wild celebrations across Butambala, with supporters waving NUP flags, chanting “People Power, Our Power,” and escorting him in a triumphant procession back to his ancestral home.

Many expected the former legislator to use the occasion to thank supporters and discuss his ongoing court battle. Instead, Kivumbi delivered one of the most confrontational speeches of his political career.Standing before a charged crowd, he declared that incarceration had only prepared him for an even bigger political confrontation.

“I have no time to rest,” Kivumbi told supporters.”I am going to our headquarters in Kampala to declare a new war against this regime. By the time our president (Bobi Wine) returns, he will find a stronger foundation than ever before. Prison has not weakened me—it has made me stronger. The only way I can repay all those who stood with me is by continuing the fight.”

The remarks immediately set the tone for what would become an explosive political address.

Scathing Attack on the First Family

The speech soon shifted from political mobilisation to personal attacks directed at Uganda’s First Family.According to verified recordings of the rally previously reviewed by The Investigator, Kivumbi made controversial remarks targeting First Lady Janet Museveni.

Referring to the First Lady, he said: “She is gone. The Almighty helped us and took her away. She is all gone.”

The comments quickly generated outrage among government supporters, who described them as disrespectful and reckless. Kivumbi then turned his attention to Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

“Do you know who is left?”he asked supporters. “The drunkard called Gen. Muhoozi. That one is simple. We shall get him through his corrupt tendencies.”

He further questioned the military record of the army commander. “He became CDF without a record of winning any battle. Our soldiers died at your hands in the DRC jungles. You failed to protect their lives.”The crowd repeatedly erupted into cheers and applause as Kivumbi continued his speech.

Questions Over PLU Funding

Kivumbi also used the rally to attack the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), the civic organisation associated with Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.He alleged that the organisation’s operations were financed through proceeds of corruption.”NRM is synonymous with corruption, and PLU is the offspring of that corruption.”

“If Muhoozi truly believes in accountability, let him explain where the money funding PLU comes from.”He further questioned whether Gen. Muhoozi’s active political mobilisation was compatible with constitutional provisions governing the conduct of serving military officers.The allegations have not been substantiated, and PLU officials have previously defended the organisation’s funding and activities.

“You Can Kill Me”

Despite the legal battles hanging over him, Kivumbi appeared determined to portray himself as a politician prepared for further confrontation.”You can kill me, but you will never finish us,” he declared.

“We are coming for you.” “Don’t mind how many battles they have won against you. Keep fighting because victory will surely come.”

The statements drew prolonged applause from supporters, many of whom had travelled from neighbouring districts to witness his homecoming.Observers at the rally described the atmosphere as emotionally charged, with supporters celebrating Kivumbi’s release while urging him to continue challenging the government.

Revisiting the Night of His Arrest

Kivumbi also returned to the circumstances surrounding the security operation that culminated in his earlier arrest. He alleged that security personnel opened fire while searching for him.

“They fired bullets into the garage believing I was inside,” he claimed.”They asked, ‘Who is Muwanga Kivumbi?’ One man stood up and said, ‘It is me,’ and they shot him on the spot.” He further alleged that the number of fatalities had been understated.

“The people who died were ten, not seven as they claimed.””The other three bodies were their fellow officers. That is why they removed clothes from all the bodies so that nobody would realise they had also killed their own people.”

These claims have not been independently verified. Authorities have previously issued their own account of the operation, and no official investigation has publicly confirmed Kivumbi’s allegations.

Security Agencies Respond

Hours after recordings of the speech circulated widely on social media and political WhatsApp groups, security agencies reportedly began reviewing the contents.

Investigators are understood to have focused particularly on statements directed at the President, the First Lady and the Chief of Defence Forces.By Friday afternoon, Kivumbi had reportedly been taken back into custody. Although security agencies had not immediately issued a comprehensive public statement detailing the specific offences under investigation, sources indicated that detectives were examining whether portions of the speech amounted to criminal defamation, offensive communication, incitement or other offences under Uganda’s laws.

The rearrest dramatically changes the political landscape only hours after opposition supporters celebrated what they believed was the beginning of Kivumbi’s political comeback.

NUP Supporters Cry Foul

Opposition supporters immediately condemned the latest arrest, accusing authorities of targeting Kivumbi for exercising his freedom of expression.Several activists who attended the Butambala rally insisted that imprisonment had failed to silence one of the party’s senior mobilisers.

“They wanted to silence him, but instead they have given him an even bigger platform,” one supporter declared.Another activist told the crowd: “We are not giving up. Every arrest only strengthens our resolve to fight for change.”

The remarks reflected the mood among many NUP supporters, who believe repeated arrests of opposition politicians have become a political tool aimed at weakening mobilisation efforts.Government officials have consistently maintained that arrests are based on alleged criminal conduct rather than political affiliation.

Divided Political Opinion

Kivumbi’s speech has generated sharply divided reactions across Uganda’s political spectrum.Supporters view him as a fearless opposition leader refusing to bow to intimidation despite repeated arrests and criminal charges.

Critics, however, argue that his remarks crossed the line from legitimate political criticism into personal insults that risk undermining public discourse.Political analysts say the speech illustrates the increasingly confrontational nature of Uganda’s politics as the country edges closer to another election cycle.

One analyst noted that courage alone does not always produce political victories.”Politics requires strategy as much as courage,” the analyst observed.

“Not every battle has to be fought through public confrontation. Sometimes the loudest statements create headlines but also create legal and political complications.”The analyst further warned that repeatedly focusing on Gen. Muhoozi could energise supporters while simultaneously creating avoidable legal risks.

Growing Political Temperatures

Kivumbi’s rearrest comes at a time when relations between the government and the opposition remain deeply strained.Several senior opposition figures continue to face criminal proceedings arising from political activities, while government officials insist security agencies are merely enforcing the law without discrimination.

The latest incident is likely to intensify debate over freedom of speech, political mobilisation and the limits of criticism directed at senior public officials.Legal experts suggest that any prosecution arising from the latest speech could become another closely watched courtroom battle with significant political implications.

An Unfinished Political Battle

For Kivumbi, the latest arrest is unlikely to diminish his standing among supporters who view him as one of the party’s most outspoken mobilisers.

His repeated message throughout the Butambala rally was that prison had strengthened rather than weakened his determination.”I have nothing else to pay you with except continuing the struggle,” he told cheering supporters.

Whether the latest legal troubles will silence him or further elevate his profile within the opposition remains uncertain.What is already clear, however, is that his dramatic return from prison has quickly evolved into yet another confrontation with the state.

Barely hours after promising to launch what he described as “a new war” against the government, Muwanga Kivumbi is once again at the centre of Uganda’s turbulent political landscape—this time facing fresh scrutiny over remarks that have reopened fierce debate about the boundaries of political speech, accountability and the increasingly bitter contest between the opposition and the establishment.