The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kawempe has declined to grant bail to Deputy Spokesperson of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, in an application heard today.
Chief Magistrate Damalie Agumasiimmwe, who presided over the session, deferred the bail ruling, citing public interest concerns.
Defense lawyers led by Farouk Sserunkuuma urged the court to ensure full disclosure of the case proceedings, arguing that their client deserves a fair hearing and justice.
Security was heavily deployed around the court premises as Waiswa Mufumbiro and his co-accused returned for the hearing at around 9:50 a.m. They are facing charges related to theft and unlawful drilling.
Earlier in the day, court authorities restricted access to journalists and relatives of the accused, citing preventive measures linked to Ebola.
The move left several family members and media personnel stranded outside the courtroom, where they attempted to follow proceedings from a distance.
Some relatives expressed frustration over the restrictions, engaging in tense exchanges with security personnel as they demanded access to the court.
Kawempe North Member of Parliament Erias Luyimbazi Nalukoola criticized the handling of the situation, condemning what he described as the continued denial of justice and restrictions on media freedom in Uganda.
Other accused persons in the case include Olivia Lutaaya, Edward Ssebuufu (also known as Eddie Mutwe), and Doreen Kaija, among others.
They were also brought to court under heavy security deployment.
Later in the afternoon, journalists and a limited number of relatives were allowed into the courtroom before the magistrate adjourned the matter to 19 June 2026.
By Edith Namwanje
5th June 2026
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