BY: LUZINDA PETERSON 

KAMPALA UGANDA: The Kanyanya Magistrates Court has rejected a request by National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy Spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro for temporary release to attend the burial of his wife, Edith Mufumbiro Katende.

Katende died on Wednesday after a long battle with cancer, sparking an emotional plea from Mufumbiro, who is currently on remand at Luzira Prison. In his application, he sought short-term bail, saying it was his wife’s final wish that he be present during her last moments and lay her to rest.

In a written appeal to Chief Justice Flavian Zeija, Mufumbiro described the request as both a personal and moral obligation. He said his late wife had expressed her wish in the presence of family members as her condition worsened.

Despite the appeal, the court declined to grant temporary bail during a video link hearing, effectively barring him from attending the burial.

Mufumbiro is jointly charged with seven other NUP members, including Edward Ssebufu, popularly known as Eddie Mutwe, the head of security for NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu. They face charges of unlawful drilling and conspiracy to commit a felony, linked to alleged unauthorized military-style training at the party’s Makerere-Kavule offices in February 2025.

The ruling has sparked debate over whether courts should allow humanitarian exceptions for detained individuals facing personal loss, especially in cases involving close family members.