The International Crimes Division of the High Court has granted bail to former Butambala County MP and National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy President for the Central Region, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, in a case stemming from the January 2026 post-election violence in Butambala District.
The ruling marks a significant development in one of the country’s most closely watched post-election cases, with Kivumbi and several co-accused facing charges linked to violent incidents that occurred during the 2026 General Election period.
Justice Susan Okalany granted Kivumbi a cash bail of UGX 10 million, while 22 of his co-accused were each granted cash bail of UGX 1 million.
The court also bonded each accused person’s sureties at UGX 5 million non-cash and directed all suspects holding passports to surrender them to the court registrar.
In addition, Justice Okalany ordered that none of the accused should travel outside Uganda without prior permission from the court.
However, six co-accused remained on remand after the court ruled that their proposed sureties were inadequate. Their bail applications were deferred, and they are expected to return to court on 13 July 2027 with new sureties.
Kivumbi was arrested on January 22, 2026, following violence that erupted in Butambala during the 2026 General Election.
Prosecutors allege that Kivumbi and his co-accused orchestrated attacks on Kibibi Police Station and the Butambala Electoral Commission tally centre. According to the prosecution, the incidents resulted in the destruction of property, damage to vehicles and the deaths of seven people.
The accused have denied all the charges.
The case followed a deadly incident on the night of the January 15–16, 2026 elections, when seven people were reportedly shot dead by unidentified security personnel outside Kivumbi’s residence in Butambala.
Scenes of celebration erupted outside the court shortly after the ruling, with supporters welcoming the decision to release Kivumbi on bail.
In a statement shared after the ruling, NUP Secretary General Lewis Lubongoya confirmed the outcome.
“Bail granted to Hon. Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi and most of the co-accused people. Bail application for six applicants deferred.”
Kivumbi joined the National Unity Platform ahead of the 2021 General Election after leaving the Democratic Party and currently serves as the party’s Deputy President for the Central Region.
Although the court has granted bail, the criminal proceedings against Kivumbi and his co-accused remain active before the International Crimes Division.
The prosecution is expected to continue presenting its case as the court determines the allegations arising from the January 2026 election violence.
The matter remains one of the most prominent post-election criminal cases in Uganda and is expected to attract continued public and political interest as it progresses through the judicial process.
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