Proceedings in the high-profile terrorism case involving Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi and 24 co-accused have been halted at a magistrates’ court in Butambala District following fresh contradictions surrounding the prosecution’s handling of committal documents.
The court had been expected to commit the accused to the High Court for trial. However, the process was disrupted after the prosecution failed to produce the required committal papers documents essential for advancing the case to the next judicial stage.
The delay took a sharper turn when two of the accused, Nicholas Walakira and Calvin Kayanja, rejected claims reportedly attributed to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
According to the prosecution, the case file had been returned for review after receiving complaints allegedly from relatives of the accused seeking changes in legal representation. This explanation was cited as the reason behind the absence of the committal papers.
But appearing before Deogratias Ssejjemba, the two suspects firmly denied any knowledge of such complaints, stating that neither they nor their families had petitioned the DPP. Their rebuttal introduced a layer of uncertainty over the prosecution’s account and raised questions about the procedural integrity of the delay.
Magistrate Ssejjemba acknowledged the inconsistencies and pressed the prosecution for clarification, noting that the absence of complete documentation had effectively stalled proceedings in a matter already under public scrutiny.
Legal analysts indicate that the conflicting narratives could complicate the prosecution’s timeline, potentially extending pre-trial processes in a case that has already experienced multiple setbacks.
The court is now expected to issue further guidance once the prosecution completes its internal review and provides a clear explanation regarding the disputed claims and missing documents.
Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi was earlier in 2026 arraigned before the magistrates’ court in Butambala District alongside 24 co-accused on terrorism-related charges, setting in motion a case that has since remained in the lower court. Following their arraignment, all 25 accused persons were remanded as the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions prepared committal papers required to transfer the matter to the High Court for trial.
By April 2026, proceedings had reached the committal stage a critical procedural point meant to pave the way for full trial. However, with the latest halt over missing documentation and disputed claims, the case remains stuck in pre-trial, prolonging remand for the accused and raising fresh concerns over delays in transitioning to substantive hearing.
