Former Butambala County Member of Parliament Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi has become the center of a growing mystery after he was reportedly re-arrested near Mpigi Police Station just one day after securing bail from the International Crimes Division of the High Court. His disappearance has sparked concern among family members, lawyers, and political supporters, who say they have been unable to establish where he is being held.
Eyewitness accounts and video footage circulating online show a coordinated operation involving uniformed police officers and plain-clothed operatives. The footage captures security personnel intercepting Kivumbi’s vehicle before he was allegedly transferred into a Toyota Hiace van, commonly referred to by many Ugandans as a “drone.” The incident happened in broad daylight along the Kampala-Masaka highway near Mpigi Town.Sources familiar with the operation claim that senior police officers supervised the arrest.
The video reportedly shows an officer believed to be directing activities at the scene while communicating through a phone or radio. Several police officers and traffic personnel are also seen surrounding the area as Kivumbi was removed from his vehicle and taken away.The disappearance has raised fresh questions after police officials in different jurisdictions reportedly denied knowledge of Kivumbi’s whereabouts. His legal team argues that the visible involvement of uniformed officers makes it difficult for authorities to distance themselves from the operation.
They insist that security agencies have a responsibility to explain where the former legislator is being held.According to one of Kivumbi’s relatives who was travelling with him, they had left Kibibi-Butambala Mosque after Friday prayers and were heading to Kampala when they noticed a suspicious vehicle following them. The relative claims the vehicle trailed them from Kabasanda before police intercepted their car in Mpigi and ordered Kivumbi to step out.The relative further alleged that officers warned those travelling with Kivumbi against resisting the arrest. Moments later, he was reportedly taken away by operatives, leaving his companions shocked and uncertain about his destination.
Since then, efforts by relatives and supporters to locate him have reportedly yielded no results.Lawyers representing Kivumbi have conducted searches at various police stations in Kampala, Mpigi, and surrounding areas but say they have not found any record of his detention. They are now preparing legal action, including a habeas corpus application, seeking a court order compelling security agencies to produce him and explain the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
Kivumbi was originally arrested in January over allegations linked to post-election violence in Butambala District. Prosecutors accused him and others of participating in acts intended to intimidate the government, including attacks on public facilities and destruction of property. After obtaining bail, many expected him to continue defending himself in court. Instead, his sudden re-arrest and unexplained disappearance have ignited fresh debate about accountability, due process, and the rule of law in Uganda.
