By Swift Reporter
A dispute over money allegedly promised by President Yoweri Museveni has emerged as a key part of the events that culminated in the arrest and remand of 11 people accused of criminal trespass at State House, Nakasero.
The group, largely made up of politicians and supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), was on Thursday remanded to Luzira Prison until September 23, 2026, after appearing before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa.
The accused include businesswoman and politician Fatiah Nakamya, Yasin Owomugisha, Cledonia Musiimenta and Seth Muyambi among others.
According to sources familiar with the events, the group had initially delivered a petition to State House seeking to have it presented to President Museveni. The petition was received and stamped, and the group was reportedly informed that they would be contacted and given feedback.
However, sources allege that some of these members accused their colleague Nakamya of having received money from President Museveni, which they claimed he had promised them after they agreed to abandon their political ambitions and support the party’s flag bearers in the recently concluded 2026 elections. The money was reportedly intended as compensation for losses they incurred during the elections.
According to the sources, Nakamya rejected the accusations and challenged the group to accompany her back to State House, saying they would establish the truth for themselves.
The sources further allege that Nakamya told the group, in essence, that they should go to State House and see for themselves that she had never received the money they were accusing her of taking.
It is alleged that it was during that return visit on September 9 that the group was arrested.
The prosecution, however, has presented a different legal focus, charging the 11 with criminal trespass under Section 282(b) of the Penal Code Act, Cap 128.
According to the charge sheet, the accused and others still at large had lawfully entered the State House premises but allegedly remained there with intent to intimidate or annoy Special Forces Command (SFC) soldiers who were on duty.
The accused denied the allegations.
State Attorney Ayub Kamba told court that investigations into the matter had been completed and asked for a hearing date.
“Investigations in the matter are complete. We pray that court gives us a hearing date,” Kamba told court.
The court subsequently remanded the accused to Luzira Prison until September 23, when they are expected to return for further proceedings, including consideration of their bail applications.
In details, the accused are Stephen Okello, 31, a teacher; Iddi Kigozi, 34, a manufacturer of school chalk and paint; Joan Muhaise, 32, a businesswoman; Robert Bayiga Tumuramye, 50, a social scientist; and Nakamya, 35, a businesswoman.
Others are Onesmas Tumutegereza, 37, a businessman; Owomugisha, 33, a businessman and parliamentary aspirant for Ruhinda County; Esther Twikirize, 32, a student; Musiimenta, 47, a former district councillor and student; Caroline Arituha, 32, unemployed; and Muyambi, 40.
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