The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has firmly denied any involvement in the abduction or detention of Butambala County MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, asserting that the lawmaker has never been held in military custody.
In an affidavit submitted to the High Court Civil Division, Lt Col Edgar Musasizi, Director of Civil Affairs at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, dismissed the allegations contained in a habeas corpus application. He stated there is no evidence connecting the UPDF to the MP’s disappearance.
“I categorically deny that officers of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces abducted or unlawfully detained the Applicant as alleged,” Lt Col Musasizi declared.
He noted that the application failed to provide any proof that the individuals allegedly involved in the arrest were UPDF personnel. Musasizi added that checks across all official military detention facilities confirmed Kivumbi has never been held by the force.
The officer also rejected suggestions that the MP is being held incommunicado under the control of the Chief of Defence Forces, emphasizing the lack of supporting evidence. He urged the court to dismiss the habeas corpus petition with costs, calling it “misconceived, devoid of merit and an abuse of the process of court.”
Kivumbi was re-arrested on July 10, shortly after his release on bail following 169 days in remand. He faces terrorism-related charges alongside 25 others linked to violence at his Butambala home on election night, which resulted in seven deaths. Prosecutors claim the attacks aimed to influence government actions or intimidate the public.
Following his bail, the MP hosted a thanksgiving event at his home where he criticized the First Family.
The next day, while returning to Kampala, he was reportedly stopped by unidentified plain-clothed individuals in a drone vehicle at the Mpigi roadblock and taken to an unknown destination.
It has now been 18 days since his disappearance. Police have also denied holding him, leaving his family and lawyers continuing their efforts through the court for his location to be revealed.