Xavier Radio Ug News 24 7
By Kabuye Ronald
The state has amended terrorism charges against Butambala County Member of Parliament and National Unity Platform (NUP) Buganda Deputy President Muwanga Kivumbi, adding 24 more suspects to the case, the Butambala Chief Magistrate’s Court heard on Tuesday.
Kivumbi appeared before court for the mention of a terrorism-related case, during which prosecutors informed the magistrate that investigations had been expanded to include additional individuals allegedly connected to the same matter.
According to the prosecution, Kivumbi is accused of involvement in violent acts during the election period, which the state claims led to the deaths of seven people. Prosecutors argued that the alleged actions meet the legal threshold for terrorism.
The newly added suspects include Buruhan Matovu, Akram Bukenya Tumusiime, Wilson Bulinda, Swabur Wagolina, Niclas Kiberu, Fahad Kasozi, Kelvin Kayanja, Twaib Sessanga, Brian Sewanyana, Brian Mwanguzi, Nicholas Walakira, Musa Sekaggo, Joseph Wakikatu, and Rahim Mubiru.
Others named are Jonathan Ssentongo, Madina Ssemaganda, Hanifa Nakibuuka, Paul Mawanda, Jackson Ddungu, Yusuf Ramadhan Kiwanuka, and Brian Owori.
Meanwhile, Kivumbi’s legal team raised strong objections to the conduct of investigations, accusing authorities of violating his fundamental human rights.
Addressing court, Busiro East MP and senior counsel Medard Ssegona told the magistrate that Kivumbi has never recorded a statement in relation to the terrorism charges. He further submitted that at the time of arrest, Kivumbi was not informed of the specific offence he was accused of and only learned of the charges upon being produced in court.
The defence also questioned the credibility of investigations, saying that when Kivumbi attempted to explain that 10 people were killed at his home during the election period, a police officer from Kira allegedly dismissed the claim. Ssegona said investigators unfamiliar with the area ignored information provided by the accused while insisting on their own version of events.
The prosecution maintains that the alleged violence resulted in seven deaths, a figure the defence strongly disputes.
Ssegona argued that cases of such seriousness require transparent, impartial, and professional investigations, adding that if the process was flawed as alleged, all evidence obtained should be rendered invalid.
The defence further told court that transferring Kivumbi without notifying his lawyers or even his wife was unconstitutional and amounted to a violation of his rights.
They asked court to dismiss the prosecution’s application. In the alternative, they urged the magistrate to order that all evidence obtained so far be discarded and that fresh investigations be conducted by impartial officers. They also requested that investigations extend to the killings allegedly committed at Kivumbi’s home to establish clarity on the disputed number of fatalities.
The matter was adjourned to 17 February for further mention and for a ruling on the defence’s application.
