MP Muwanga Kivumbi Charged With Terrorism

Muwanga Kivumbi appearing 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 just 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 executed 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 organized acts of violence carried out in the aftermath of the elections.

On the night of January 15, only hours after voting concluded, at least seven people were shot dead by security forces at Kivumbi’s residence in Butambala. Kivumbi later 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 after 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 race to former journalist Eriasa Mukiibi.

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The court has adjourned the case to February 3, 2026, when Kivumbi is expected to return for further proceedings.