Nakawa councillor Ssebuwufu granted bail after 2 months on remand

2026-03-25 - 04:16

Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s court has granted bail to Nakawa I councillor and National Unity Platform (NUP) supporter Johnmary Ssebuwufu, who had spent more than two months in detention on charges of inciting violence. Ssebuwufu was arrested on January 14, 2026, in the aftermath of the general elections and later arraigned in court on February 6 after reportedly being held incommunicado by security agencies. He has since been on remand at Luzira Prison as police investigations continued. Through his lawyers, Samuel Muyizzi Mulindwa and Jude Byamukama, Ssebuwufu made several attempts to secure bail. However, the prosecution, led by state attorney Mahatma Odongo, repeatedly told court that investigations were incomplete and sought more time to respond to the application. During the previous session, the defence argued that Ssebuwufu’s continued detention without concluded investigations was unjustified. They maintained that bail is a constitutional right and that the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The lawyers also told court that Ssebuwufu serves as an elected councillor, a church leader at St Andrea Kaggwa Parish in Kigoowa, and an official in the NUP Electoral Commission, arguing that his continued incarceration was affecting the community that depends on him. Court further heard that Ssebuwufu is married with seven children and has a fixed place of residence in Kyanja within the jurisdiction of Nakawa court. The defence also presented sureties, prompting him to renew his bail application. In her ruling, grade one magistrate Sanula Namboozo granted Ssebuwufu cash bail of Shs 500,000. His sureties were each ordered to execute a non-cash bond of Shs 5 million. As part of the bail conditions, Ssebuwufu was directed to deposit his passport with court and submit his National Identification Card through the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) for verification. The magistrate noted that Ssebuwufu had failed to present his National ID during the hearing of the bail application. However, he told court that the document was lost during his arrest. Court also warned that failure to return for subsequent proceedings would attract a penalty of Shs 10 million. Meanwhile, the prosecution maintained that investigations are still ongoing and depend on police inquiries. The court directed the state to expedite investigations to ensure the timely disposal of the case. The matter was adjourned to April 7, 2026, for further mention. Ssebuwufu is among several NUP leaders and supporters arrested around the January 2026 general elections. While some have since been released on bail, including NUP vice presidents Lina Zedriga and Jolly Tukamushaba, others remain on remand. Those still in custody include central region vice president Muwanga Kivumbi, who faces terrorism charges, and more than 20 others, among them Edward Ssebuwufu, also known as Eddie Mutwe, Olivia Lutaaya, Saudah Madaada and Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, who are charged in connection with an alleged illegal military-style parade.