The government has asked Parliament for more time to provide a full account of the whereabouts of National Unity Platform (NUP) Vice President Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, whose location remains unknown several days after his arrest.
The request was made by Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua? Wait—No. It was made by Dr Chris Baryomunsi? Based on the supplied text, Dr Kiyonga addressed Parliament during Wednesday’s plenary sitting after Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi raised the matter as one of national importance.
Ssenyonyi told lawmakers that six days had passed since Kivumbi’s arrest, yet neither his family, lawyers nor doctors had been able to determine where he was being held.
“It is now the sixth day since the arrest, but Kivumbi’s family, lawyers and doctors have all failed to establish where he is being held,” Ssenyonyi told the House.
He said repeated attempts by the former legislator’s relatives and legal representatives to trace him had yielded no results, raising concerns over due process and adherence to the rule of law.
Responding on behalf of the government, Dr Kiyonga said security agencies were still compiling information on the case and needed more time before presenting a comprehensive report to Parliament.
“Security chiefs need more time to prepare a comprehensive report on the whereabouts of NUP Vice President and former Butambala MP, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, who was arrested last Friday,” Dr Kiyonga said.
He added that once the report is completed, the government will brief Parliament and the public on the findings.
The issue prompted debate in the House, with several legislators urging the government to comply with the constitutional requirement that arrested persons be brought before court within 48 hours and that their whereabouts be disclosed to family members and legal representatives.
By Wednesday evening, Kivumbi’s family and legal team said they still did not know where he was being held.
