Relief swept through the courtroom after the International Crimes Division of the High Court granted bail to former Butambala County Member of Parliament Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi and several of his co-accused in the terrorism case that has kept them on remand for months.
The ruling marks a major development in the high-profile case, which has drawn significant public and political attention since the group was charged with terrorism-related offences linked to the violence that followed the 2026 General Election in Butambala District.
While Kivumbi and a number of his co-accused secured temporary freedom pending trial, the court did not determine the fate of all the applicants. The judge deferred the bail ruling for several remaining co-accused, with that decision now expected next week.
The accused had argued that they have fixed places of residence, substantial sureties, and had spent an extended period on remand while awaiting trial. The State had opposed the bail application, maintaining that investigations were ongoing and expressing concerns over possible interference with witnesses.
The case has experienced multiple delays in recent months, including adjournments caused by missing case files and postponed hearings, prolonging the detention of the accused before the latest breakthrough in court.
Attention now shifts to next week’s sitting, when the court is expected to rule on the outstanding bail applications for the remaining co-accused as proceedings in the terrorism case continue.