Kampala, Uganda – An opposition politician in Uganda is facing expanded terrorism charges after a magistrate’s court approved amendments to a charge sheet adding 24 more accused persons to a case involving National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy President for Buganda, Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi Muhammad.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from defence lawyers and opposition leaders, who say it is unlawful, prejudicial, and intended to frustrate bail proceedings.
Court Approves Amendments to Terrorism Charges
The amendments were made during a mention of the case at the Butambala Chief Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 3 February. Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, a member of Kivumbi’s defence team, objected strongly to the changes.
Lukwago told the court that adding 24 accused persons amounted to an ambush. He argued that the defence had already prepared bail applications through the Uganda Law Society Rapid Response Team, which had met relatives of the detainees and compiled all required documentation.
Lukwago prayed that all 25 accused be granted bail and allowed to return home. He insisted that the state was ignoring investigations into what he described as cold-blooded killings linked to the case.
However, the presiding magistrate, His Worship Ssejemba Deogratius, ruled that the amended terrorism charges had to be re-read to all accused persons. He noted that the charges had earlier been read only to Kivumbi. Due process, he said, required the charges to be retaken following the amendments.
Concerns Raised Over Police Conduct
The defence team, led by Busiro County East MP Medard Lubega Sseggona, raised serious concerns about the conduct and impartiality of investigators.
Sseggona told the court that Kivumbi was not informed of the terrorism charges at the time of his arrest. He said Kivumbi only learnt of them later while appearing in court.
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Addressing the media, Sseggona added that the accused had not recorded a statement. He said police allegedly refused to capture parts of Kivumbi’s account relating to events at his home on January 15, 2026, which led to the deaths of 10 people.
“On the night of January 15, my home in Butambala was raided by the military as they searched for me. When they failed to break in, soldiers fired bullets through the steel door. Those bullets struck and killed 10 people inside the house. The shooting went on for more than 15 minutes,” Kivumbi told the media before his arrest.
He described the incident as a horrific attack, demonstrating the impunity with which security forces target opposition figures in Uganda.
According to the defence, when Kivumbi attempted to record a statement at Kiira Police Station in the presence of his lawyer, Asuman Basalirwa, the process was halted. Police allegedly stopped recording once Kivumbi mentioned that security personnel had killed people at his residence.
The National Unity Platform has described the terrorism charges as “trumped up.” The party accuses the state of using the case to cover up the killing of Kivumbi’s polling agents.
NUP spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi said the party believes the case is politically motivated. He added that the charges are intended to divert attention from alleged abuses by security forces.
Charges Withdrawn and Case Adjourned
Prosecution later withdrew seven earlier charges and asked the court to terminate proceedings on them. The state cited ongoing “guided investigations.”
As a result, bail applications were halted. The case was adjourned to 17 February 2026. Authorities said the 24 additional accused persons would be transferred to Kitalya Mini Max Prison, while female suspects would be taken to Luzira Women’s Prison.
