Kivumbi and 16 Co-Accused Granted Bail After Over Five Months in Remand

The International Crimes Division of the High Court has granted bail to former Butambala County MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi and 16 of his co-accused. This decision comes after they spent 169 days on remand, having been in custody since January 22, 2026.

The charges against them are related to acts of terrorism allegedly committed between January 11 and 15, 2026, in the Butambala District. Prosecutors claim the group attacked a polling station and a police station during post-election unrest, leading to seven fatalities.

Justice Susan Okalanyi ruled that the applicants had met the bail requirements, including providing proof of fixed residence. The court dismissed the prosecution’s objections regarding the financial capacity of sureties, stating such arguments lacked legal basis. The judge also found no evidence that the accused would interfere with investigations if released on bail.

Kivumbi was granted cash bail of Shs10 million, while his 16 co-accused each furnished cash bail of Shs1 million. However, six other applicants were denied bail for now, due to issues with their surety documentation, and were given until July 13 to reapply with proper sureties.

As conditions for their release, the accused are prohibited from leaving Uganda without court permission and must report to court monthly until the case concludes. The ruling was met with jubilation from supporters and relatives outside the courtroom.

The broader case involved numerous delays and disputes, including arguments over evidence disclosure and the ages of some defendants. Kivumbi petitioned the High Court for bail after repeated delays in the committal of his case to the High Court.

This source is from Nile Post.