Butambala MP Kivumbi charged with terrorism, faces death penalty

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Butambala County Member of Parliament Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi was Friday (January 23) charged with terrorism before Butambala Chief Magistrate Deogratius Ssejjemba, who later remanded him to prison until February 3, 2026.

This was after Ssejjemba stated he had no jurisdiction to hear the matter, which he said was only triable by the High Court.

Kivumbi is also the National Unity Platform (NUP) deputy president for Buganda. He was arrested on Thursday (January 22) in connection with recent incidents of political violence in Butambala district.

While presenting the prosecution’s case, Assistant Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Racheal Bikhole told court that Kivumbi and other suspects still at large allegedly committed acts intended to intimidate the Government of Uganda and the public for political purposes.

The state alleges that Kivumbi together with others, between January 11-17, 2026 at various places in Uganda, including Kibibi and Gombe town council, within Butambala district, for purposes of intimidating the Government or intimidating the public, and for political or economic gains, indiscriminately without due regard to the safety of others or property, carried out acts prejudicial to national security and public safety.

The state says the alleged acts were prejudicial to national security and public safety, and they included orchestrating and executing an attack on Kibibi Police Station and Butambala Electoral Commission tally centre.

The state also alleges that Kivumbi, together with others, caused serious damage to sections of Kibibi-Butambala-Gomba Road.

The prosecution further alleges that the unrest resulted in the destruction of vehicles and other property, and that seven people lost their lives during the incidents.

The deceased included Sarah Nagayi, Aisha Nabukenya, Milly Nampereza, Ruth Nakanjako, Abdul Nuru Nsamu, Shafik Miro and Davis Basaliza.

Under Ugandan law (Anti-Terrorism Act, 2002), terrorism offenses carry severe penalties, including the death penalty for acts directly causing death or other serious terrorism-related offenses like financing, training, or aiding terrorism, with life imprisonment also possible; other related offenses, such as aiding or financing, can result in imprisonment up to ten years or fines, alongside asset forfeiture.

Inside the courtroom

At about 3:00 pm on Friday, Kivumbi was escorted into the main courtroom without handcuffs for plea-taking.

However, shortly after proceedings commenced, the legislator asked the chief magistrate for permission to consult his legal team and asked for the return of his mobile phone. The prosecution objected, arguing that the phone was still being held as part of ongoing investigations.

Chief Magistrate Ssejjemba directed that Kivumbi be placed in the dock to allow his legal team arrive after the legislator said they were stuck in jam.

An hour later, he was brought back to the dock, and the charges were read afresh to him. His lawyers had not yet arrived. Despite pleas by Kivumbi to Ssejjemba to adjourn the matter to enable his lawyers be present to court, the chief magistrate informed him that his court does not have the mandate to handle the matter and were only in court for the reading of the charges.

Kivumbi informed the magistrate he didn’t understand the charges, prompting Ssejjemba to read to him the charges again.

Kivumbi asked the magistrate whether the case would be mentioned at his court or sent to the High Court for trial, to which Ssejjemba said: "We usually mention these cases here until when they are ready for trial in the High Court.”

When Kivumbi insisted the case be mentioned, the magistrate said: “We shall be mentioning it here unless otherwise advised.”

Kivumbi insisted he was the victim in the matter but was now accused. “I am the victim of all the things you are saying, and even death occurred in my house, and here I stand to be accused of terrorism.”

The chief magistrate responded: “The hands of this court are tied. We have nothing much to do in the matter, and our business is only inform you of the charge and remand you to February 3, 2026, until further investigations are done."

Ssejjemba did not name the prison facility where Kivumbi would remain on remand, saying it was the Uganda Prisons Service to decide where he would be detained.

Museveni on Kivumbi

Following the January 15 presidential and parliamentary elections, President Yoweri Museveni, during his address to the nation, accused Kivumbi and other opposition figures of planning coordinated violent attacks in areas where NUP lost seats.

“Something happened in Butambala. A character called Kivumbi was defeated. Now, the plan everywhere was that where NUP is defeated, gangs with pangas should attack the polling station. That is what they did. When they came to attack the polling station, seven of them were shot dead there,” he said.

The President said he had met at the State House some of those who had been recruited to attack polling stations, who reportedly revealed the entire plot to him.

Museveni labelled some opposition elements as “terrorists” and said intelligence suggested post‑election violence was being orchestrated in districts, including Butambala.