Butambala County Member of Parliament and National Unity Platform (NUP) Vice President for Central Uganda, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, together with 24 co-accused persons, has applied for bail before the International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kampala as they await trial on terrorism-related charges.
The application, filed under Criminal Miscellaneous Application No. 2026 arising from Criminal Case No. 002 of 2026 before the Chief Magistrates Court in Butambala, seeks the temporary release of the accused persons currently remanded at Kitalya Mini-Max Prison, Naguru Remand Home and Luzira Women’s Prison.
According to court documents filed jointly by Lukwago & Company Advocates and Alaka & Company Advocates, the applicants argue that they are entitled to bail under Article 23 of the Constitution and Section 15 of the Trial on Indictments Act.
The accused state that they were arrested between January 14 and January 21, 2026, during the period leading up to the general elections, before being arraigned before the Chief Magistrates Court in Butambala.
Court records indicate that the group was initially charged on January 20, 2026, with incitement to violence and malicious damage to property before being remanded to Kabasanda Government Prison, Mpigi Women’s Prison and Naguru Remand Home until February 3, 2026.
However, upon their subsequent appearance in court, the prosecution reportedly withdrew the initial charges and amended the charge sheet to include all 24 co-accused persons in a terrorism case.
The applicants further argue that their continued detention without committal for trial violates their constitutional right to the presumption of innocence and a fair hearing within a reasonable time.
The matter is now before the International Crimes Division of the High Court for determination of the bail application.
By Charles Katabalwa
13th May 2026
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