The state has amended terrorism charges against Butambala County Member of Parliament and National Unity Platform (NUP) Buganda Deputy President Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, adding 24 more suspects to the case, the Butambala Chief Magistrate’s Court heard on Tuesday.
Kivumbi appeared before court for the mention of a terrorism-related case in which prosecutors informed the magistrate that investigations had been widened to include additional individuals allegedly linked to the same set of events. The prosecution alleges that Kivumbi was involved in acts of violence during the election period which, according to the state, resulted in the deaths of seven people and meet the legal threshold for terrorism.
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 and Rahim Mubiru. Others are Jonathan Ssentongo, Madina Ssemaganda, Hanifa Nakibuuka, Paul Mawanda, Jackson Ddungu, Yusuf Ramadhan Kiwanuka and Brian Owori.
However, Kivumbi’s legal team strongly objected to the manner in which investigations have been conducted, accusing security agencies of violating his fundamental rights.
Addressing court, Busiro East MP and senior counsel Medard Ssegona told the magistrate that Kivumbi has never recorded a statement in relation to the terrorism charges. He further submitted that at the time of arrest, the legislator was not informed of the specific offence he was accused of and only learned of the charges when he was produced in court.
The defence also questioned the credibility and professionalism of the investigations. Ssegona told court that when Kivumbi attempted to explain that 10 people were killed at his home during the election period, a police officer from Kira allegedly dismissed the claim. He argued that investigators unfamiliar with the area ignored information provided by the accused while insisting on their own version of events.
While the prosecution maintains that the alleged violence resulted in seven deaths, the defence strongly disputes this figure, saying it remains contested and unclear.
Ssegona argued that cases of such gravity require transparent, impartial and professional investigations, adding that if the process was flawed, all evidence obtained should be rendered invalid. He also told court that transferring Kivumbi without notifying his lawyers or even his wife was unconstitutional and amounted to a violation of his rights.
The defence asked court to dismiss the prosecution’s application.
In the alternative, they requested that all evidence obtained so far be discarded and that fresh investigations be carried out by impartial officers. They further urged court to order investigations into the killings allegedly committed at Kivumbi’s home to establish clarity on the disputed number of fatalities.
The magistrate adjourned the matter to 17 February for further mention and for a ruling on the defence’s application.
