HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The deputy spokesperson of the National Unity Platform, Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, has formally petitioned the judiciary for temporary release from custody to attend the burial of his late wife, Edith Katende Mufumbiro.
Through his legal team, Mufumbiro has appealed to the Chief Justice, seeking permission on humanitarian grounds to be allowed to bid farewell to his wife, whose burial is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Luuka District. The request has drawn significant backing from leaders of the opposition party, who argue that granting him temporary release would be both compassionate and just.
According to party officials, Mufumbiro has been denied bail multiple times despite what they describe as weak grounds for his continued detention. They maintain that he was not present at the scene of the alleged offence for which he is being held and was instead attending to his ailing wife during her treatment.
In a strongly worded statement, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, the party’s former presidential candidate, criticised the circumstances surrounding Mufumbiro’s detention. He asserted that the charges of “unlawful drilling,” allegedly committed on February 12, 2025, at the party headquarters, were unfounded.
“This regime placed on him and others the sham charge of ‘Unlawful Drilling’… In fact, on that day, Waiswa never stepped there as he was at Mulago Cancer Institute with the wife,” Kyagulanyi wrote, adding that the judiciary was aware of these facts but had failed to act.
The party has now urged authorities to treat Mufumbiro’s request with urgency. “Denying him the chance to attend his wife’s burial could deepen public concern over the treatment of opposition figures in Uganda.”
Meanwhile, funeral arrangements for the late Katende are underway. According to a tentative programme released by party spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi, a vigil will be held at Makandwa Village in Kitende, beginning Wednesday evening.
On Thursday, the body is expected to be transported from the funeral home for a service at St Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe before being taken to the family residence in Mutungo for an overnight vigil. A second funeral service is scheduled for Friday at St Stephen’s Church Luzira.
Later that afternoon, the body will be transferred to Busiro in Luuka District for another vigil ahead of the final rites. Burial will take place on Saturday, beginning with a service at noon, followed by interment at 4:00 p.m.
Kyagulanyi confirmed that Katende passed away shortly after 3:00 a.m. following a prolonged battle with cancer, extending condolences to the bereaved family and calling for solidarity during this difficult time.
