Former legislater and National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy President for the Buganda Region, Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi, was reportedly abducted by masked armed men on Friday, July 10, just hours after regaining his freedom on bail.
According to the National Unity Platform and eyewitness accounts, Kivumbi was intercepted in Mpigi Town while travelling home from Butambala District. The armed men allegedly blocked his vehicle, forcibly pulled him out, and bundled him into an unmarked van, commonly referred to in Uganda as a "drone," before driving away to an unknown destination.
By press time, Kivumbi's whereabouts remained unknown, and no security agency had publicly confirmed his arrest or detention.
The reported abduction came less than a day after the opposition politician was granted a cash bail of UGX 10 million by court on Thursday, July 9, ending approximately 162 days on remand at Kitalya Prison. Kivumbi had been arrested in January this year.
Following his release, Kivumbi was welcomed by NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, other party leaders, and thousands of supporters who escorted him to his home in celebration.
Addressing the jubilant crowd, Kivumbi vowed to resume his political activities despite his months in detention.
"I am going to rest for only two days, and starting on Monday, we are going to begin again from where we stopped," he told supporters.
During the same address, Kivumbi criticized Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, accusing him of violating human rights.
Earlier on Friday, Kivumbi attended Juma prayers at Kibibi Mosque in Butambala District, where hundreds of worshippers gathered to thank Allah for his safe return from prison.
Speaking after to the multitudes, Kivumbi recounted what he described as difficult prison conditions. He alleged that his prison cell was routinely locked for more than 12 hours each day and that the lights in his room remained switched on throughout the day and night, making it difficult to rest.
In an earlier interview with a Kampala-based radio station following his release, Kivumbi said he had prepared himself for the possibility of being arrested again.
"There are two things prison can do to you. You either leave intimidated, or you leave with a new revelation," he said. "I have chosen to leave with a new revelation."
Political analysts had also suggested that the opposition leader could face renewed legal challenges or fresh charges after his release.
Reacting to the reported abduction, NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, accused the government of using intimidation against political opponents.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Kyagulanyi said:
"The criminal regime is doing all this to instil fear within the population, but these tactics have been employed by despots all over the world and throughout history. They never win in the end!"
The statement was accompanied by calls from NUP leaders demanding Kivumbi's immediate release and urging security agencies to disclose his whereabouts.
At the time of publication, the Uganda Police Force, the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), and other security agencies had not issued an official statement regarding the incident. It also remained unclear whether Kivumbi would face any new criminal charges if he were formally presented before a court.
The reported incident is likely to heighten political tensions as Uganda prepares for the forthcoming general elections, with opposition leaders continuing to raise concerns over arrests, detentions, and alleged human rights violations targeting political activists.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.