Achileo Kivumbi, head of security at the National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters, has been charged with possession of defense stores at the General Court Martial in Makindye on Monday.
According to the charge sheet presented to the court, Kivumbi, aged 42 and a resident of Nansana East B Zone, was found in unlawful possession of a pair of Lieutenant Colonel pips on August 3. This charge falls under Section 158 (a), (b), and (c) of the UPDF Act, Cap 330.
On his X account on Saturday, NUP Principal Robert Kyagulanyi reported that military operatives from CMI/JATT had raided Kivumbi’s home, forced their way inside, and confined themselves along with Kivumbi and his wife, while other soldiers surrounded the house, preventing anyone from entering. Neighbors were allegedly harassed and chased away.
Kyagulanyi’s post also stated that the soldiers produced two UPDF pips for the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and ordered Kivumbi to sign a document stating they were found in his house.
When Kivumbi protested, he was reportedly beaten severely in front of his wife. His wife claimed that Kivumbi’s body was swollen and showed signs of torture and sleep deprivation.
After the court session, lawyer George Musisi told journalists that during their interaction with Kivumbi, he disclosed details of his torture while in detention, describing the situation as unlawful and unfortunate.
Musisi emphasized that Kivumbi was arrested on Thursday, although the alleged offense occurred on Saturday, highlighting what he believes to be fabricated charges.
Musisi condemned the actions of the enforcement agencies, calling for them to conduct arrests within the law rather than resorting to abductions. He stated that they would seek legal action against those involved and announced plans to file a bail application to secure Kivumbi’s release.
Furthermore, he also expressed hope that the practice of trying civilians in court martial on questionable charges would end with a forthcoming Supreme Court decision.
“We are going to put in a bail application and to try to secure his liberty but we believe that the ultimate solution of trying civilians in court martial with tramped up charges will come to an end when the Supreme Court pronounces it’s self on this matter,” he noted.
The case, presided over by Judge Freeman Mugabe, has been adjourned until September 2.