Butambala MP Muwanga Kivumbi in court. Kampala, Uganda | URN | The High Court in Kampala has directed the government to conclude investigations into the whereabouts of former Butambala County Member of Parliament Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi before determining his application for a writ of habeas corpus seeking his production and unconditional release. In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, Justice Collins Acellam ordered the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Attorney General to file an affidavit within seven days detailing the outcome of investigations into Kivumbi’s whereabouts.
The matter was adjourned to July 29, 2026, for further hearing. The application, filed under the Human Rights (Enforcement) Act and the Judicature (Habeas Corpus) Rules, seeks an order compelling security agencies to produce Kivumbi before court and secure his immediate release. According to court records, Kivumbi, a civilian and former legislator, was allegedly abducted on July 10, 2026, at a police checkpoint in Mpigi shortly after being granted bail by the High Court.
His lawyers, led by Samuel Muyizzi Mulindwa, contend that unidentified armed men, believed to be military operatives and allegedly assisted by police officers, arrested Kivumbi without a warrant, failed to identify themselves, did not inform him of any charges, and have since held him incommunicado without access to his family, lawyers or medical care. Kivumbi was reportedly re-arrested two days after securing Shs10 million cash bail before the International Crimes Division of the High Court. Justice Susan Okalany granted him bail together with 16 co-accused persons facing terrorism charges arising from the alleged attack on Kibibi Police Station and violence that occurred in Butambala District during the January 2026 general elections.
Before being released on bail, Kivumbi had spent about six months on remand. The respondents, however, denied any involvement in his alleged disappearance. In an affidavit sworn by Assistant Commissioner of Police Godwin Tumugumye, the Uganda Police Force stated that it neither arrested nor detained Kivumbi and that no police records indicate he is being held in police custody.
Police acknowledged that Kivumbi’s vehicle was stopped at a checkpoint but maintained that investigations conducted across relevant police …
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