National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has welcomed the release of party deputy president for Buganda, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, describing his detention as unlawful and politically motivated.
Kivumbi was released on Thursday, July 9, after spending months on remand over terrorism-related charges linked to post-election violence in Butambala District earlier this year.
His release followed a High Court decision granting him bail under strict conditions, including cash bail and restrictions on travel.
In a statement issued shortly after speaking with Kivumbi, Bobi Wine said the opposition leader’s detention lacked legal justification and accused state actors of targeting political opponents.
He maintained that Kivumbi “never committed any offence” and instead blamed security operatives for the violence that led to the charges.
“The criminals who attacked his home and murdered people are the ones who should be answering for their crimes,” Bobi Wine said, adding that accountability would eventually be pursued.
Kivumbi’s arrest came in the aftermath of disputed election-related clashes in January 2026, which left several people dead and heightened political tensions across parts of central Uganda. Authorities linked him to the violence, but NUP has consistently dismissed the accusations as fabricated.
Bobi Wine also used the occasion to commend sections of the judiciary, suggesting that Kivumbi’s release reflected independence among some judicial officers despite what he termed as widespread intimidation.
“It is always a great delight to see that even in the midst of so much rot, there are still judicial officers who will rise above the pervasive intimidation,” he said.
The release was met with celebrations among NUP supporters, who have been calling for the release of detained opposition figures.
However, government officials have previously defended the arrests, insisting that prosecutions are based on evidence gathered during investigations into election-related violence.
Kivumbi is expected to return to court as the case proceeds, with the charges still in place.
His release adds to the ongoing debate over the handling of opposition leaders and the broader political climate following Uganda’s 2026 elections.