Kivumbi in Court on Friday.
Butambala County Member of Parliament Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi has been arraigned before court and charged with terrorism, contrary to Sections 6(1)(a) and 3(o) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, Cap 120.
Kivumbi’s prosecution comes days after President Yoweri Museveni publicly accused him of involvement in acts of terrorism following the January 15, 2026 presidential and parliamentary elections.
Appearing before court, the prosecution, led by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Rachael Bikhole, alleged that between January 11 and January 17, 2026, Kivumbi, together with others still at large, coordinated and carried out a series of violent attacks in Kibibi Town Council and Gombe Town Council in Butambala District.
According to the prosecution, the alleged attacks were part of organised violence that occurred in the aftermath of the elections.
On the night of January 15, only hours after Ugandans cast their ballots, at least seven people were shot dead by security forces at Kivumbi’s residence in Butambala. Kivumbi has since accused security agencies of responsibility for the killings.
Hours after the incident, President Museveni accused Kivumbi and other opposition figures of plotting coordinated attacks on polling stations after losing the elections. Speaking during his victory address at his country home in Rwakitura, Museveni alleged that groups linked to Kivumbi had launched violent attacks following his defeat.
“What these people were planning is what happened in Butambala with Kivumbi. They were planning to do it all over. Those who came to State Lodge Nakasero on January 13 told me that was the plan… of course we were ready to deal with them decisively,” Museveni said.
Kivumbi lost the Butambala County parliamentary seat to former journalist Eriasa Mukiibi.
The court has adjourned the case to February 3, 2026, when Kivumbi is expected to return for further proceedings.
Arrest and Chapter Four Suspension
Kivumbi’s arrest comes weeks after the suspension of operations of the local non-governmental organisation Chapter Four Uganda, whose activities were halted by authorities over what was described as matters prejudicial to national security.
Kivumbi’s wife, Zahara Nampewo, is the Board Chairperson of Chapter Four. While the timing of the arrest has drawn public attention, authorities have not indicated whether there is any direct connection between Kivumbi’s arrest and the suspension of the NGO.
Government officials have so far treated the two matters as separate, and no formal linkage has been established between the terrorism charges facing Kivumbi and the regulatory action taken against Chapter Four.
Investigations and court proceedings in both matters remain ongoing.
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