Tayari News
MBARARA – Bright Muhumuza, the National Unity Platform (NUP) coordinator for the Ankole sub-region, has reappeared in court in Mbarara City after weeks of disappearance under unclear circumstances. Muhumuza appeared before the Mbarara City court on Thursday under heavy security deployment, including police officers and plain-clothed operatives.
The NUP coordinator, who contested for the Mbarara City South parliamentary seat, was reportedly ‘abducted’ on January 14, 2026, while distributing appointment letters and facilitation to polling agents. He later resurfaced in custody ahead of his court appearance. Muhumuza was arraigned before Grade One Magistrate Ochieng Yafesi and charged with committing a rash and negligent act, contrary to Section 211(a) of the Penal Code Act.
According to the charge sheet, Muhumuza is accused of driving a motor vehicle, registration number UAY, in a manner considered rash or negligent and likely to cause harm to the Mbarara City Division Deputy Police Commander (DPC), SP Kenneth Kabwigo Gumisiriza. The alleged incident is said to have occurred on November 8, 2025, at Kyamugorani Cell in Mbarara City North, along Kyamugorani Road near Rad Motel.
In court, Muhumuza was represented by four lawyers—Modern Atuhuriire, Honorato Muhanguzi, Isaac Mulindwa, and Wilbroad Busingye. Through his lead counsel, Modern Atuhuriire, the accused pleaded not guilty and sought leave of court to apply for bail pending trial. Another defense lawyer, Isaac Mulindwa, told the court that the defense team was ready to proceed with the bail application if granted permission.
Honorato Muhanguzi also urged the court to allow the state to take over the matter to enable verification and substantiation of the sureties intended to be presented. “We are aware of the Bail Guidelines 2022. The state is an integral part of this process, and we pray that the matter be taken over to allow verification and substantiation of the intended sureties,” Muhanguzi submitted.
Magistrate Ochieng Yafesi acknowledged that the accused has a constitutional right to apply for bail but adjourned the matter to February 11, 2026, to allow the state adequate time to participate in the process. “It is true the accused has a right to apply for bail, but it is prudent that the state is also given an opportunity. It is my view that this matter be heard on the 11th of this month at 9:00 a.m.,” the magistrate ruled.
Muhumuza contested in the Mbarara City South parliamentary race against incumbent Mwine Mpaka Rwamirama but lost after polling 5,324 votes. Rwamirama retained the seat with 26,399 votes. Other contenders included Vincent Norman Mugarura of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), who garnered 441 votes, and independent candidate Moses Mwebesa, who polled 703 votes. Muhumuza was not present during the voting exercise and did not deploy polling agents at the polling stations.
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