Court Rejects State’s Bid to Summon Missing NUP Deputy President Muwanga Kivumbi

Former Butambala County MP and National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy President for Buganda, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, failed to appear before the Butambala Chief Magistrate’s Court, where he was expected to face terrorism charges alongside more than 20 co-accused.The prosecution told court that Kivumbi’s whereabouts were unknown and requested criminal summons to compel him to appear.

However, his lawyers opposed the request, insisting that their client was in government custody following reports of his arrest last week.Kivumbi’s defence team, led by Samuel Muyizzi and Kenneth Paul Kakande, said they had failed to trace him for five days and questioned how the State could claim not to know his location while seeking summons against him.

Chief Magistrate Deogracious Ssejjemba rejected the prosecution’s request and adjourned the case to August 20.Kivumbi was reportedly arrested on July 10 in Mpigi District while travelling to Kampala, and his continued absence has sparked calls from opposition leaders for the government to explain his whereabouts. His lawyers have also moved to the High Court seeking a habeas corpus order to compel authorities to produce him in court.