NATIONAL
The state has amended the charge sheet in the terrorism case involving Butambala County Member of Parliament and National Unity Platform (NUP) Buganda Deputy President, Muwanga Kivumbi, adding 24 more suspects.
Kivumbi was recently charged with terrorism following the gunshot deaths of seven people by security operatives at his home in Butambala on polling day.
On Tuesday, he appeared before the Butambala Chief Magistrate’s Court for a mention of the case, where it was revealed that the additional 24 suspects would be included in the charge sheet.
The newly added suspects include Buruhan Matovu, Akram Bukenya Tumusiime, Wilson Bulinda, Swabur Wagolina, Niclas Kiberu, Fahad Kasozi, Kelvin Kayanja, Twaib Sessanga, Brian Sewanyana, Brian Mwanguzi, Nicholas Walakira, Musa Sekaggo, Joseph Wakikatu, Rahim Mubiru, Jonathan Ssentongo, Madina Ssemaganda, Hanifa Nakibuuka, Paul Mawanda, Jackson Ddungu, Yusuf Ramadhan Kiwanuka, and Brian Owori.
Prosecutors accuse Kivumbi of orchestrating violent acts during the election period, which allegedly led to seven deaths. The state argued that the acts meet the legal threshold for terrorism.
However, Kivumbi’s legal team strongly challenged the conduct of investigations, accusing authorities of violating his fundamental rights. Addressing the court, Busiro East MP and senior counsel Medard Ssegona said Kivumbi had never recorded a statement regarding the terrorism charges and was not informed of the specific offence at the time of his arrest. He only learned of the charges upon being produced in court.
Ssegona further questioned the credibility of the investigations, saying that Kivumbi’s claims that 10 people were killed at his home were dismissed by a police officer from Kira. He argued that investigators unfamiliar with the area ignored the accused’s version while insisting on their own narrative.
The defence argued that serious cases such as this require transparent and professional investigations. They urged the court to declare all evidence obtained invalid and conduct fresh investigations, including a probe into the disputed number of fatalities at Kivumbi’s home. They also highlighted the alleged unconstitutional transfer of Kivumbi without notifying his lawyers or wife.
The prosecution maintains that the violence resulted in seven deaths, a figure the defence strongly disputes.
The case was adjourned to February 17 for further mention and a ruling on the defence’s application.
