Kampala, Uganda: The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has demanded the immediate release or production before the court of National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy President for Buganda, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, who was rearrested less than 24 hours after he was granted bail by the High Court after 169 days on remand facing terrorism-related charges.
In a statement issued on Friday, hours after the inhumane rearrest, the legal body said it was “gravely alarmed” by reports that Kivumbi was picked up in Mpigi District on the afternoon, adding that, at the time of issuing the statement, neither his family nor lawyers knew his whereabouts.
According to reports from Kivumbi’s political associates and close relatives, the former Butambala Legislator was intercepted by security operatives in Mpigi while travelling on Friday, although the security agencies had not publicly disclosed the reasons for his re-arrest by press time.
In the Radical New Bar’s statement, ULS Vice President Asiimwe Anthony said Kivumbi’s reported arrest raises serious constitutional and human rights concerns.
“The Uganda Law Society is gravely alarmed by reports of the abduction this afternoon of Hon. Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, former Member of Parliament for Butambala County and current deputy president of the National Unity Platform (NUP), around Mpigi District.”
“As of the time the statement was issued, his whereabouts remain unknown, and there has been no formal communication from any security agency regarding his arrest or detention.”
Csl Asiimwe called upon the Uganda Police Force, Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), and other security agencies to immediately disclose Kivumbi’s whereabouts and the legal basis for his detention.
The society further demanded that he be produced before a competent court without delay and granted access to lawyers of his choice and his family.
Among its key demands, the Law Society called for is the immediate disclosure of Kivumbi’s whereabouts and the legal basis for his detention, immediate production before a competent court with access to legal representation and family, an end to abductions and enforced disappearances, and accountability for those responsible for unlawful detentions, regardless of rank or command.
The legal body also appealed to the Uganda Human Rights Commission, the Speaker of Parliament, and the international community to intervene to safeguard Kivumbi’s safety.
“The rule of law cannot survive where citizens, particularly political leaders, are taken from public roads with impunity,” Csl Asiimwe reaffirmed, linking the latest developments to broader concerns the society has previously raised regarding alleged abductions, enforced disappearances and politically motivated prosecutions.
In the event that the plea is not heeded, the Uganda Law Society says it will stage a peaceful petition at the Judiciary Headquarters on Friday, July 17, calling on the Judiciary’s leadership to publicly state its position on recent developments affecting judicial independence.
According to Csl Asiimwe, the petition will be addressed to the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice, and the Principal Judge, urging them to respond to concerns raised following President Yoweri Museveni’s July 4 address and the alleged use of courts in politically sensitive cases.
By press time, no official statement explaining the reasons for his re-arrest had been issued by the Uganda Police Force, the UPDF or any other security agency.
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