NUP ANKOLE COORDINATOR BRIGHT MUHUMUZA: “I WAS KEPT IN A SAFE HOUSE FOR 3 WEEKS”

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By Twesigye AggreyIn Mbarara Citywww.mknewslink.com—–The Ankole regional coordinator of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Bright Muhumuza, has spoken out about what he describes as a harrowing three-week detention in a government-operated safe house.
Muhumuza shared his account during an interview with www.mknewslink.com on monday, detailing the events that led to his arrest and subsequent detention.
According to Muhumuza, the incident began on Jan.13th, 2026, at around 6:00 a.m., when he received a phone call from mbarara city division police commander, SP Kenneth Kabwigo, inviting him for a harmonization meeting at Agip motel .
At the time, Muhumuza had just returned from Kampala, where he had collected appointment letters and facilitation funds intended for NUP coordinators in the Ankole region
Muhumuza said he viewed the proposed harmonization meeting at Agip Motel as an opportunity to reconcile with SP Kenneth Kabwigo, who had earlier opened a case at mbarara CPS accusing Muhumuza of plotting to kill him and impounded his campaign vehicle at Mbarara Central Police Station (CPS).
Muhumuza said he drove to the venue with two NUP supporters and parked the vehicle carrying UGX 46 million meant to facilitate NUP coordinators in the Ankole region, UGX 24 million in personal funds, and appointment letters for party coordinators, leaving the supporters inside to keep watch over the money and documents as he proceeded alone to meet the DPC.
Muhumuza alleges that as soon as he entered Agip Motel, he was arrested on the orders of the DPC, handcuffed, and beaten for about 30 minutes in the DPC’s presence, before vehicles carrying plain-clothed men whom he believes were from the Special Forces Command (SFC)entered the premises and took him away
Muhumuza said he was blindfolded and taken to an unknown location, where he was allegedly beaten, questioned about his political ambitions in mbarara city despite being from Rukungiri district, and held in isolation without contact with family or lawyers under poor living conditions,including inadequate food and lack of hygiene.
While in detention, Muhumuza said another detainee identified as “Asiko” informed him that opposition figure Sam Mugumya had also been held at the facility but had been rushed to hospital in critical condition.
He further alleged that his detention was politically motivated by rivals in mbarara city south, where he unsuccessfully contested a parliamentary seat, and said he has not conceded defeat and intends to challenge the election results in court.
Muhumuza also cited financial strain following his detention, saying he invested approximately UGX 500 million in his parliamentary campaign and that his businesses have faced challenges, including attempts by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to close his paver-laying factory in Koranorya over allegations that it is located in a wetland.
Muhumuza described conditions in the alleged safe house as “heinous,” claiming that many other Ugandans continue to experience similar treatment in facilities reportedly operated by the SFC.
He said that after three weeks in detention, on February 5 at around 3:00 a.m., he was blindfolded and transported to the Rwizi Regional Police headquarters in mbarara city, where he was formally handed back to police.
He was later arraigned before the mbarara grade one magistrate’s court and charged with rash and negligent acts contrary to Section 211(a) of the Penal Code Act three weeks after he had been reported missing.
Muhumuza was subsequently remanded to Kyamugorani prison, where he spent six days.
He said conditions at Kyamugorani Prison were relatively better than in the alleged safe house, praised the prison officers for their professionalism, and added that he plans to mobilize friends to assist with renovations, including painting the prison wards..
Muhumuza, who is now on bail, maintains that the charges against him are politically motivated and is expected to return to court on March 12, 2026, for mention of his case.

mknewslink.com, https://mknewslink.com/nup-ankole-coordinator-bright-muhumuza-i-was-kept-in-a-safe-house-for-3-weeks/