Overview:
On Friday, the charge was re-read to Mufumbiro before Kawempe Chief Magistrate Doreen Ainembabazi, specifying that the alleged incitement occurred at NUP headquarters. He denied the charge.
The Kawempe Chief Magistrates Court in Kanyanya has ordered the prosecution to stop adding more suspects to the charge sheet in the case involving 21 supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) accused of engaging in unlawful military drills.
The directive was issued on Friday by Grade One Magistrate Damalie Agumaasiimwe, who said that the repeated amendments to the charge sheet were delaying the start of the trial.
She ruled that no further additions or amendments will be entertained on the current file and advised the state to open a separate charge sheet if it intends to prosecute more suspects.
The accused, including Edward Ssebufu (Eddie Mutwe), Achileo Kivumbi, Calvin Tasi (Bobi Giant), Edwin Sserukuma (Eddy King Kabejja), Yasin Nyanzi, Tonny Kawesi, and Sharif Lukenge, were first presented in court on August 14, 2025.
However, six months later, the prosecution had not produced a single witness; instead, it repeatedly amended the charge sheet. The latest amendment added a 21st accused person despite a prior court order barring further joinder.
The accused are also jointly charged with Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, Saudah Madaada (AIGP Madaada), Doreen Kaija, and Olivia Lutaaya, who were added later.
Defense lawyer Kato Tumusiime argued that the prosecution’s addition of a suspect on January 23, 2026, violated an earlier court order.
State attorney Bruce Twogyire countered that the suspect had already been in the process of being charged and emphasized that amendments should be allowed where circumstances permit.
Magistrate Agumaasiimwe maintained that the trial must commence, stressing that it would be unfair to the accused to allow indefinite amendments.
“I cannot let you amend up to 2040,” she remarked, directing the prosecution to present its first witness at the next appearance or risk dismissal of the charges.
The 21 accused, including NUP Deputy Spokesperson Alex Waisswa Mufumbiro, face charges related to unlawful military drilling, possession of military-like attire, and operating a school without a valid licence.
The prosecution alleges that on February 23, 2025, the group conducted a military-style parade at the NUP headquarters in Kavule, Kampala, purportedly as a birthday tribute to NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu. In a related development, the state has reinstated an incitement to violence charge against Mufumbiro.
The charge had been dismissed by the Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court on February 12, 2026, for being filed in the wrong court and lacking specifics on where the alleged offense occurred.
On Friday, the charge was re-read to Mufumbiro before Kawempe Chief Magistrate Doreen Ainembabazi, specifying that the alleged incitement occurred at NUP headquarters. He denied the charge.
Mufumbiro, a lawyer, faces allegations of inciting NUP youth to kill security personnel. His lawyer, Farooq Sserunkuuma, described the reinstatement of the charge as illegal and intended to frustrate his client.
Mufumbiro appealed to the court, saying the prolonged proceedings were causing psychological strain to his sick wife, children, and parents.
He stated that he would prefer a definite sentence to continued persecution, emphasizing that history would remember him as an innocent man.
The 21 accused have renewed their bail applications, presenting substantial sureties.
The prosecution has been granted time to respond to the applications and the defense’s allegations regarding prosecutorial conduct.
Earlier, the prosecution had applied to regulate media coverage of the proceedings, citing concerns about potential breaches of the sub judice rule and witness security.
Defense lawyers, including Joel Ssenyonyi, opposed the application, arguing that the matter is of significant public interest and that no evidence showed media coverage had prejudiced the case.
They emphasized that the media serve as the eyes and ears of the public, particularly given courtroom space limitations and security restrictions. Three female accused attended the session via video link, while the rest were physically present. The court has adjourned the matter to March 13, 2026, with all accused remanded until then.
****URN****