Politics 29 July 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Muwanga Kivumbi transferred to Butambala court after two-week disappearance
Former Butambala County MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi has been transferred to Butambala district and is expected to appear in court after resurfacing at Nateete police station. He had been missing for over two weeks. Source: https://observer.ug/news/muwanga-kivumbi-transferred-to-butambala-after-resurfacing-at-nateete-police-station
Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, the former Member of Parliament for Butambala County, has been moved to the Butambala district. This development follows his reappearance earlier today at Nateete police station after being out of contact for more than two weeks.
Kivumbi’s legal team, led by Samuel Muyizzi Mulindwa, stated that he was taken from Nateete station just before they could access him. A delegation from the National Unity Platform (NUP), including Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi and NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, arrived at the police station only to find that Kivumbi had already been transported to Butambala.
According to Kivumbi’s brother, Hajji Musa Lutaaya, his brother was placed in a police vehicle around 12:30 PM and driven to Butambala under a heavy escort. Lutaaya noted that he was not permitted to speak with or see his brother during his time at Nateete police station. The family was also not informed about the specific charges Kivumbi might face or the exact destination within Butambala.
Kivumbi’s reappearance came after he was reportedly dropped off at Nateete police station by unidentified state operatives. He had been missing since July 9, 2026, when he was allegedly re-arrested by security operatives on the Masaka–Kampala highway, one day after being granted bail on terrorism charges by the International Crimes Division of the High court.
During his period of disappearance, Kivumbi’s lawyers and family had filed petitions in the High Court, seeking orders for his production or disclosure of his whereabouts. However, both the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces had denied holding him.
Recently, senior presidential assistant Gen Proscovia Nalweyiso indicated that Kivumbi was being held for reasons unrelated to the terrorism charges, though she did not specify these reasons. His reappearance occurred shortly after a High Court judge directed security chiefs to investigate his whereabouts.
As of the time of reporting, it remains unclear what charges, if any, Kivumbi will face at the Butambala Chief Magistrate’s court. Allegations of torture during his detention have not yet been independently verified.
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