Muwanga Kivumbi
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Barely 24 hours after the International Crimes Division of the High Court granted him bail, National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy President for Buganda Muwanga Kivumbi was on Friday arrested by security personnel in Mpigi District while travelling home from Butambala.
Kivumbi, who had spent nearly six months on remand facing terrorism and related charges arising from post-election violence in Butambala District during the January 2026 general elections, was intercepted at a roadblock and taken to an undisclosed location.
His latest arrest came just hours after he addressed supporters following his release, declaring that he was returning to active politics “with new energy” and promising to announce a new “war to liberate this country.”
According to NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, Kivumbi was travelling through Mpigi District when security operatives intercepted his vehicle.
“Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi abducted from a roadblock in Mpigi, on his way from Butambala, and driven off to an unknown destination,” Rubongoya posted on X.
By Friday evening, neither the Uganda Police Force nor other security agencies had issued an official statement explaining the reasons for the arrest or revealing where the opposition leader had been taken.
Eyewitnesses said Kivumbi’s vehicle was ambushed by heavily armed military personnel stationed at the roadblock.
According to witnesses, Kivumbi was travelling in a white Toyota Land Cruiser when armed men suddenly emerged from a numberless van, commonly referred to as a “drone,” and surrounded the vehicle.
The security personnel reportedly ordered him out of the vehicle before forcing him into the waiting van, which immediately sped away to an unknown destination.
The dramatic arrest occurred less than a day after Justice Susan Okalany of the International Crimes Division ordered Kivumbi’s release on a cash bail of Shs10 million.
In granting bail on Thursday, Justice Okalany ruled that prosecutors had failed to provide sufficient justification for his continued detention while investigations into the terrorism case were still ongoing.
Kivumbi had been among 23 people charged with terrorism and related offences following violence that erupted in Butambala District during the January 2026 general elections.
He remained on remand for nearly six months as investigations continued.
Upon returning home on Thursday night, Kivumbi was welcomed by supporters, whom he told that his detention had not weakened his resolve to continue opposing the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
He announced that he would take only a brief break before resuming his political responsibilities.
“I am going to rest for only two days. Beginning Monday, I am coming to the NUP headquarters as Deputy President for Buganda. I am going to announce a new war that will liberate this country. I am coming with new energy,” Kivumbi told supporters.
His remarks came only hours before security personnel intercepted and arrested him on the Kampala-Masaka highway in Mpigi District.
During the same address, Kivumbi also revisited the events surrounding the January elections, maintaining that he had been the intended target of a security operation at his home.
“That night, they had come to finish me. They didn’t kill only seven people, they killed ten,” he said.
The government has consistently maintained that seven people died during the election-related violence in Butambala District.
Police have previously said those killed were individuals who participated in attacks on Kibibi Police Station and the Butambala District Electoral Commission tally centre.
Kivumbi, however, has repeatedly disputed the official account, insisting that the victims were members of his campaign team rather than attackers.
Friday’s arrest is likely to heighten political tensions, coming shortly after the High Court ruled that Kivumbi should regain his freedom pending completion of investigations.
By press time, his whereabouts remained unknown, with opposition leaders demanding that security agencies disclose where he had been taken and explain the legal basis for his latest detention.
