National Unity Platform flag bearer for Nakawa East, Waiswa Mufumbiro, to miss voting day as court extends remand
On Tuesday, through his lawyers led by Samuel Muyizzi Mulindwa, Mufumbiro applied for mandatory bail, arguing that his continued detention violates his constitutional rights to personal liberty and a speedy trial.
The Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court has further remanded National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy Spokesperson and Nakawa East parliamentary aspirant Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro until January 22, meaning he will miss voting for himself in the January 15 general elections.
Mufumbiro has now spent 78 days on remand without trial, facing charges of incitement to violence, which he denies. He is also facing separate charges before the Kawempe Magistrate’s Court over alleged participation in prohibited military drills alongside ten others.
On Tuesday, through his lawyers led by Samuel Muyizzi Mulindwa, Mufumbiro applied for mandatory bail, arguing that his continued detention violates his constitutional rights to personal liberty and a speedy trial.
However, the prosecution, led by Mahatma Odongo, opposed the application, contending that police investigations are still ongoing and that public interest requires that the accused remains in custody. The prosecution relied on similar grounds that were used by court in December 2025 to deny Mufumbiro bail.
In his ruling, Magistrate Namanya said he required more time to consider the legal principles governing mandatory bail and deferred the decision to January 22, a week after the elections. Mufumbiro is the NUP flag bearer for Nakawa East, a seat widely regarded as one of Kampala’s most competitive parliamentary races.
Meanwhile, Mufumbiro appeared on Wednesday before the Kawempe Magistrate’s Court sitting at Kanyanya, together with ten other jailed NUP supporters, over an alleged military-style parade linked to celebrations for NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi’s birthday in February 2025.
The co-accused include Edward Ssebufu (also known as Eddie Mutwe), Acleo Kivumbi, Doreen Kaija (Principal of the NUP Leadership School), Saudah Madada (who was absent from court), Tasi Calvin (alias Bobi Giant), Edwin Sserunkuma (alias Eddy King Kabejja), Sharif Lukenge, Yasin Nyanzi, Tonny Kaweesi, and Olivia Lutaya, the last to be arrested in the group.
According to the prosecution, on February 12, 2025, at the NUP offices in Makerere–Kavule, Wandegeya, Kawempe Division, the accused allegedly conducted military drills without authorisation from the Minister.
The prosecution claims the gathering involved training participants in military exercises, movements, and evolutions, contrary to Section 45(1)(b) of the Penal Code Act. In a second count, the accused are charged with conspiracy to commit a felony under Section 363 of the Penal Code Act.
