Residents of Butambala on Monday called for the immediate release of their outgoing MP, Mohammed Muwanga Kivumbi, insisting that he is innocent and should be allowed to continue performing his parliamentary duties.
The residents gathered early at the Butambala Chief Magistrates Court to witness the appearance of Kivumbi and his 24 co-accused. Many appeared visibly anxious as they waited outside the court premises.
Several residents said Kivumbi was being unfairly detained despite having no case to answer.
“We are here to ask authorities to release our member of parliament because he has no case to answer. If they rigged his vote, why would they continue to keep him in prison?” one resident said.
Kamada Ssenyonjo said he was praying for Kivumbi’s release, describing him as innocent.
“I ask the Almighty Allah to bless our member of parliament and for his release because he is innocent,” Ssenyonjo said.
Nafiya Nabukeera, a resident of Kibibi, urged authorities to free the legislator so that he could continue supporting people affected by violence.
“We ask them to release our legislator because he has no case to answer and allow him to continue supporting victims who are still nursing wounds and undergoing medical treatment,” she said.
Faisal Ssenfuka from Kiziko said residents felt robbed of their vote.
“We want our leader back. We voted him together with Aisha Kabanda, but unfortunately our vote was stolen,” Ssenfuka said.
Another resident, Juma Ssebaggala, criticised the manner in which the investigations were conducted, claiming police failed to properly investigate the alleged crime.
“We are concerned about the reckless arrest of our legislator. Police did not do thorough investigations before arresting him,” Ssebaggala said.
He added that investigators had not even visited the garage where the alleged murder reportedly took place, yet arrests were made.
Mayi Nakitende Namusisi from Kibibi said she was convinced Kivumbi won the recent election and should not remain in detention.
“Muwanga Kivumbi won the election. I have no doubt about it, and he should be given back his freedom,” she said.
Juma Kyobe appealed to the judiciary to release Kivumbi, insisting that the lawmaker was innocent regardless of the disputed election outcome.
Kivumbi, who is jointly charged with 24 others under the amended charge sheet, appeared before Butambala Chief Magistrate Deogratious Ssejjemba.
His legal team includes Medard Sseggona, Erias Lukwago, Samuel Muyizzi, Asuman Basalirwa, Kenneth Paul Kakande, Eric Bbosa and lawyers from the Uganda Law Society.
The case was adjourned to the 17th of this month. Kivumbi and his co-accused were remanded to Kitalya Prison.
