The National Unity Platform (NUP) has raised fresh concerns over the continued uncertainty surrounding the whereabouts of its Deputy President for Buganda, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, saying the silence surrounding his disappearance has increased fears among his family, supporters and opposition colleagues.
The party says it has been unable to establish where Kivumbi is being held since he was allegedly taken by armed security personnel shortly after being granted bail by the International Crimes Division of the High Court.
NUP Deputy President for Western Uganda Jolly Jackline Tukamushaba made the remarks while appearing before the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), where opposition parties under the Joint Democratic Platform (JDP) presented concerns over alleged unlawful arrests and disappearances of opposition supporters.
Tukamushaba said the party had gone for more than two weeks without receiving clear information about Kivumbi’s location, raising questions about his safety and wellbeing.
“Today is the 17th day and we do not know where he is. Where is Muwanga Kivumbi? Is he alive? Is he dead? Is he detained? Is he in the Basement? Where is he?” she questioned.
She said the biggest concern for the opposition party was not only the arrest itself but the complete lack of communication about where the former Butambala County legislator had been taken.
According to Tukamushaba, there were moments when social media activity from security officials at least gave opposition supporters an indication that detained politicians were somewhere, but Kivumbi’s case had created more uncertainty because of the silence.
“But this time round he has also decided to keep quiet, and that worries us more. At least when he tweets, we know someone is somewhere,” she said.
Although she did not directly mention Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces, her remarks were interpreted by opposition supporters as referring to his previous social media posts concerning political events and arrests.
Tukamushaba recalled the arrest of People’s Front for Freedom leader Erias Lukwago, saying that although his detention caused concern, there was at least some information that helped people know he was in custody.
“When our colleague Elias Lukwago was abducted, at least we saw a tweet. It was bad, but at least we said he is somewhere. Somewhere is where we want. Now we are asking where Muwanga Kivumbi is,” she said.
Kivumbi’s disappearance followed shortly after he secured bail in a terrorism-related case. The International Crimes Division of the High Court had granted him a cash bail of Shs10 million after considering his application for release.
The court decision came after Kivumbi had spent several months on remand alongside other accused persons over allegations linked to violence in Butambala District during the 2026 general elections.
Justice Susan Okalany reportedly ruled that the prosecution had not provided sufficient reasons to justify his continued detention as investigations continued.
After his release, Kivumbi reportedly told supporters that he would continue participating in political activities and mobilising against the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
However, his freedom was short-lived after reports emerged that he had been intercepted while travelling through Mpigi District.
NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya said Kivumbi was stopped at a security roadblock and taken away by armed men who later drove him to an unknown destination.
According to accounts from people who witnessed the incident, heavily armed individuals using a numberless vehicle surrounded Kivumbi’s car before forcing him out and taking him away.
The incident immediately triggered demands from his lawyers, family members and political colleagues for authorities to explain where he had been taken.
Police, however, denied having Kivumbi in their custody, saying investigations had not established that he was being held at any police facility.
The denial increased pressure from opposition leaders, who questioned how a person could disappear after being taken from a security checkpoint without authorities knowing his whereabouts.
Tukamushaba told the Human Rights Commission that security agencies had a responsibility to explain what happened, especially because the incident allegedly occurred in a public place.
“It was at a roadblock. I would have thought that police would take interest in knowing this person that we had stopped — where is he being taken?” she said.
The opposition has since asked the Uganda Human Rights Commission to investigate the matter and use its constitutional powers to establish Kivumbi’s location.
People’s Front for Freedom Deputy President Dr. Michael Lulume Bayiga said opposition parties wanted the commission to investigate claims of enforced disappearances, inspect detention facilities and ensure that citizens’ rights were protected.
The continued uncertainty surrounding Kivumbi has become one of the latest political disputes in Uganda, with opposition leaders saying it reflects wider concerns about arrests and detention of government critics.
However, authorities have maintained that allegations of unlawful detention should be investigated through legal channels, while security agencies have not publicly confirmed holding Kivumbi.
As his family, lawyers and political allies continue seeking answers, the question of where Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi is being held remains at the centre of a growing political debate.
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