Rubaga North Member of Parliament Abubaker Kawalya has strongly criticized the arraignment and continued detention of former Butambala MP Muwanga Kivumbi, describing the process as a violation of fundamental rights.
Kivumbi was on Wednesday presented before the Butambala Chief Magistrate’s Court, where he faced charges of unlawful assembly and inciting violence.
The court subsequently remanded him to prison until August 11 after attempts by his legal team to secure bail failed.
Reacting to the development, Kawalya raised concern over the circumstances surrounding Kivumbi’s detention, stating that the opposition figure had spent 19 days in incommunicado custody prior to being produced in court.
“This afternoon, our Deputy President for Buganda Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi was arraigned before the Butambala Chief Magistrates where he was charged with unlawful assembly and inciting violence after spending 19 days under incommunicado detention,” Kawalya said in a statement.
He further alleged that Kivumbi had been denied access to legal counsel, family members, and medical care during the period of detention, terming the situation as unlawful.
“This act is a blatant abuse of his rights. He has been under illegal detention without any legal representation, access to medical care or his own family members,” Kawalya added.
The charges against Kivumbi are linked to alleged incidents of unrest and violence in Butambala during the recent electoral period, according to prosecution claims.
However, opposition leaders have consistently disputed the accusations, arguing that they are politically motivated.
Kivumbi’s court appearance followed days of uncertainty over his whereabouts, which had prompted legal efforts to compel authorities to produce him.
His re-arrest shortly after securing bail in an earlier case has also drawn scrutiny from legal and human rights actors.
The case is expected to return to court in August, with attention likely to focus not only on the charges but also on the legality of his detention and treatment while in custody.