Muwanga Kivumbi Fails to Appear in Court As State Says His Whereabouts Are Unknown

Former Butambala County MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi missed a court appearance on terrorism charges, creating confusion about his status. The prosecution informed the Butambala Chief Magistrate's Court that they could not locate Kivumbi and requested criminal summons for his appearance.

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While the other accused had appeared, the prosecution could not confirm Kivumbi's whereabouts after he failed to attend the hearing.

However, Kivumbi's defense team argued that their client is in government custody. They reported being unable to trace him for five days since his alleged arrest by security operatives. The defense questioned the state's claim of ignorance regarding his whereabouts while simultaneously seeking his compulsory appearance.

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We have also been unable to trace our client for the past five days following reports of his arrest by security operatives.

Chief Magistrate Deogracious Ssejjemba denied the prosecution's request for summons and postponed the case to August 20. Meanwhile, Kivumbi's lawyers are preparing to file a writ of habeas corpus in the High Court, seeking an order to compel authorities to produce him. The National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy President for Buganda was reportedly arrested on July 10 in Mpigi District.

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Government could not claim ignorance of Kivumbi's whereabouts while simultaneously seeking criminal summons against him.