Former Butambala County MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi has broken his silence after resurfacing following a 19-day disappearance, narrating a disturbing account of what he says happened during the period he was missing.
Kivumbi, who is also the National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy President for the Central Region, appeared before the Butambala Chief Magistrate’s Court where he was charged with inciting violence.
While appearing in court, Kivumbi told the magistrate that he was taken away in what he described as a “drone” vehicle, blindfolded and transported to an unknown location.
“When I was in the drone (Toyota Hiace vehicle), I was blindfolded, the whole face was covered. I was taken to a place I don’t know. I was put in a small room with a bathroom,” Kivumbi told court.
He alleged that after being taken to the unknown location, several people assaulted him and subjected him to severe beatings.
“When I reached that room, every single person took a turn to beat, to kick, to do everything they wanted until I was hit on the head and a lot of blood was oozing out. That is when they stopped beating,” he said.
Kivumbi claimed that after the alleged assault, his captors applied a substance to stop the bleeding and later said a doctor would attend to him.
“After that, they applied some chemical to stop the bleeding, and they said the doctor was coming. The doctor never appeared until the day around midday,” he narrated.
He further told court that when a medical person eventually arrived, he received treatment but continued experiencing painful procedures during his recovery.
“When he examined me, he put some medicine, and at night, they started to rehabilitate me. The process lasted a week. They would do it morning, midday, and in the evening. It was as painful as the beating,” Kivumbi said.
The former MP said he remained confined in the same room throughout the 19 days he was missing.
“I have been in that room ever since I was abducted, for 19 days. There is a small window,” he told court.
Kivumbi resurfaced on Wednesday morning at Nateete Police Station before being transferred to Butambala, where prosecutors formally presented charges against him.
His disappearance had caused concern among his family, lawyers and members of the National Unity Platform, who had filed legal applications seeking information about his whereabouts.
According to reports, Kivumbi was allegedly intercepted by security operatives shortly after he secured bail from the International Crimes Division of the High Court in a separate terrorism-related case.
The alleged disappearance happened on July 9, shortly after he addressed supporters who had gathered at his home in Butambala.
The state later presented him before court and accused him of inciting violence through statements allegedly made during the gathering.
However, Kivumbi denied the accusations and maintained that he was being targeted because of his political activities.
His lawyer, Medard Sseggona, said Kivumbi suffered injuries, including wounds on his head, and received only basic medical attention after the alleged assault.
Kivumbi had previously spent several months on remand over terrorism-related charges, which he denied, before being granted bail.
The case has attracted attention from opposition supporters, human rights activists and members of the public who have raised concerns about alleged disappearances involving political figures.
Security agencies have previously denied involvement in unlawful detentions and have insisted that all suspects are handled according to the law.
The allegations made by Kivumbi remain claims that have not yet been independently verified, while investigations and court proceedings continue.
His appearance in court has renewed debate about human rights, political freedoms and the treatment of opposition figures in Uganda.
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