Prosecution Raises No Objection to Kivumbi’s Sureties.
By Skika Reporter.
KAMPALA — The prosecution has not challenged the suitability of five sureties presented for former Butambala County Member of Parliament Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, although state attorneys indicated they reserve the right to oppose his bail application on other legal grounds.
The development emerged on Monday as Kivumbi’s bail application came up for hearing before the International Crimes Division (ICD) of the High Court in Kampala.
The prosecution team, led by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Thomas Jatiko and Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka, scrutinised the documents submitted by the defence but raised no objection to any of the proposed sureties.
Kivumbi’s defence team, comprising lawyers Medard Sseggona, Samuel Muyizzi, and Luyimbaazi Nalukoola, presented five sureties in support of his application for temporary release pending trial on terrorism charges.
The sureties include the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, National Unity Platform (NUP) Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya, Kivumbi’s elder brother Yasin Lutaaya, and his two sisters.
The bail hearing forms part of proceedings involving Kivumbi and 23 co-accused persons who face terrorism-related charges linked to incidents that allegedly occurred following Uganda’s January 2026 presidential elections.
Court proceedings began after a brief delay caused by the late arrival of government prosecutors, who informed the court they had been engaged in another high-profile matter.
Earlier, court officials, together with lawyers from both sides, implemented measures aimed at reducing congestion in the courtroom amid ongoing Ebola prevention concerns.
During the hearing, defence lawyer Medard Sseggona argued that the accused persons had remained in custody since their arrest in January while investigations continued.
He submitted that the prolonged detention of the accused without committal to the High Court warranted their release on bail pending the completion of investigations and subsequent trial proceedings.
Kivumbi’s co-accused also presented their respective sureties, with each accused person producing at least two individuals willing to guarantee their appearance before court whenever required.
Although the prosecution did not challenge the proposed sureties, state attorneys informed the court that they may oppose the bail applications on other legal grounds during the hearing.
The court later adjourned briefly to allow the prosecution to verify documents submitted by the sureties before proceedings resumed.
The bail hearing continues before the International Crimes Division, with a ruling expected after both the defence and prosecution conclude their submissions.
Kivumbi and the 23 co-accused have consistently denied the terrorism charges against them.
The case has attracted significant public and political attention, drawing supporters, family members and senior officials of the National Unity Platform to the court proceedings
