Former Butambala County MP and National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy President for Buganda, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, has been charged with inciting violence and managing an unlawful society after reappearing following 19 days in detention.
Kivumbi appeared before the Butambala Chief Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, two charges were read against him.
He was remanded to Luzira Prison until August 11, 2026 when he returns for mention of the case by the same court in Butambala.
The charges
The state alleges that on July, 9, 2026 at Bugoye Village, Gombe town council in Butambala district, Kivumbi while addressing a public gathering, he unlawfully incited them to commit acts of violence against government officials and unlawfully overthrow government by supporting his plan to wedge war and overthrow government contrary to section 79(1) of the Penal Code Act.
He is also accused of managing an unlawful society contrary to section 53 of the Penal Code Act while allegedly addressing the same rally he asked to rise up against and ovethrow it unlawfully.
The charges come after Kivumbi was arrested on July 10 at a roadblock in Mpigi District by armed men in plain clothes whose identities were not immediately disclosed. His whereabouts remained unknown for nearly three weeks, sparking concern among his family, lawyers, political colleagues and supporters.
According to NUP Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya, Kivumbi resurfaced on Wednesday morning after he was dropped off at Nateete Police Station.
Rubongoya said the party established Kivumbi’s location while following up on a habeas corpus application filed before the High Court seeking orders compelling security agencies to produce him in court.
From Nateete Police Station, Kivumbi was transferred to Butambala, where he appeared before the Chief Magistrate and was formally charged.
He appeared to be in stable condition as he was escorted into the courtroom before being remanded to Luzira Prison.
Kivumbi’s court appearance came days after both the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Uganda Police Force denied having him in their custody, despite mounting pressure from his supporters demanding answers about his disappearance.
His arrest and subsequent disappearance had prompted legal action, with his lawyers filing a habeas corpus application to establish his whereabouts and secure his production before court.
