Outgoing Butambala County legislator Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi and 24 co-accused appeared in court Tuesday as prosecution amended the charge sheet in their terrorism case.
The accused, including two women, appeared before Butambala Chief Magistrate Deogratius Ssejemba on Tuesday.
The men were transferred to Kitalya Prison, while their female counterparts were remanded to Luzira Women’s Prison.
Prosecution, led by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Racheal Bikhole, withdrew seven initial charges of inciting violence and causing malicious damage to property against the 24 accused, and successfully applied to terminate proceedings on these counts.
Kivumbi, 52, who also serves as National Unity Platform (NUP) vice president in charge of Buganda Region, now faces a single count of terrorism under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Ms Bikhole told court that further investigations were ongoing and requested an adjournment.
Defence lawyer Medard Ssegoona expressed concerns over the handling of the case, questioning the ‘impartiality of investigators.’
The defence team also includes outgoing Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago, Bugiri Municipality legislator Asuman Basalirwa, and Robert Jurua.
Mr Ssegoona argued that the charge had shifted from inciting violence to terrorism without Kivumbi recording a statement at Kira Police Station after his arrest.
He added that ‘Kivumbi was first produced in court on January 23 without notification to his next of kin or personal lawyers, potentially violating his constitutional rights.’
The defence further said Kivumbi ‘had not refused to record a statement but sought to include his personal observations, including allegations of killings by police and military personnel at his Bugoye Village home.’
At Kira Police Station, Mr Basalirwa noted that Kivumbi began recording a voluntary statement, but the detective halted proceedings when he mentioned the deaths of 10 people (the state recorded seven), insisting those references be omitted.
Basalirwa described this as an attempt to dictate the statement’s content.
Mr Ssegoona requested the appointment of impartial investigators and an independent probe into the alleged killings.
‘Who actually pulled the trigger and killed? . We insist this matter be pursued vigorously,’ said Lukwago, calling the failure to investigate the reported deaths an abuse of office under Article 120 of the Constitution.
The case stems from post-election unrest in Butambala District following the January 2026 General Election, during which security forces reportedly shot several individuals.
Kivumbi maintains he is a victim of the events at his Bugoye Village residence.
The presiding magistrate adjourned the case to February 17 for further mention.