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Butambala court to rule on Kivumbi bail, media coverage
Kivumbi faces charges of inciting violence and managing an unlawful society, which the prosecution alleges he committed while addressing a gathering of hundreds of people at Bugoye village in Gombe town council, Butambala district, on July 9, 2026.
Kivumbi waves to his supporters before boarding a Prisons pickup. (Credit: Simon Ssekidde))
By: Simon Ssekidde, Journalist @New Vision
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The Butambala Chief Magistrate's Court is set to rule today, Tuesday (August 25), on the bail application of NUP Deputy President Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, as it also considers the State's request to bar media houses from live-streaming proceedings in the case.
Kivumbi faces charges of inciting violence and managing an unlawful society, which the prosecution alleges he committed while addressing a gathering of hundreds of people at Bugoye village in Gombe town council, Butambala district, on July 9, 2026.
He denied the charges when he appeared before court on July 29 and was remanded to Kitalya Prison pending the hearing of his bail application.
His latest case came shortly after he had secured sh10m cash bail from the International Crimes Division of the High Court in a separate terrorism case involving him and 23 others.
The terrorism charges stem from violence and the deaths of seven people in Butambala during the January 15 general elections.
His latest case came shortly after he had secured sh10m cash bail from the International Crimes Division of the High Court in a separate terrorism case involving him and 23 others.
The terrorism charges stem from violence and the deaths of seven people in Butambala during the January 15 general elections.
Kivumbi was subsequently rearrested on July 10 at a police roadblock in Mpigi, a day after being granted bail, triggering a dispute over his whereabouts that led to court proceedings and demands for authorities to account for him.
Kivumbi's lawyers, led by Medard Sseggona Lubega, have presented four sureties, including Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, NUP acting president John Baptist Nambeshe, Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake and Kivumbi's sister Masitulah Nalutaaya.
Prosecution has opposed his release and has separately asked court to stop media houses from live-streaming the proceedings, arguing that the restriction is necessary to safeguard the parties involved.
The defence and opposition leaders have rejected the proposed media blackout, arguing that the proceedings should remain open and transparent.
Kivumbi's lawyers, led by Medard Sseggona Lubega, have presented four sureties, including Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, NUP acting president John Baptist Nambeshe, Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake and Kivumbi's sister Masitulah Nalutaaya.
Prosecution has opposed his release and has separately asked court to stop media houses from live-streaming the proceedings, arguing that the restriction is necessary to safeguard the parties involved.
The defence and opposition leaders have rejected the proposed media blackout, arguing that the proceedings should remain open and transparent.