KAMPALA.The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament (LOP) Joel Ssenyonyi has claimed that there is a scheme to implicate him in the high-profile Butambala terrorism case, saying the alleged move is part of a broader crackdown against critics of government.
Mr Ssenyonyi made the revelation on Friday evening in a post on X, where he said he had received intelligence information that he could soon be added to the terrorism file currently before court.
“So, I’m told there is a ploy to potentially add me onto the ‘Terrorism’ file of Butambala, or one of those other files in court,” Ssenyonyi wrote.
“I’ve said previously; when you fight corruption, it fights back. Similarly, when you fight bad governance, it fights back! But we shall overcome,” he added.
Ssenyonyi did not disclose the source of the information or provide details about the alleged plan. Government and security agencies had not responded to his claims by press time.
The allegations come amid escalating political tensions following a series of posts by Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba targeting senior opposition leaders, including Ssenyonyi.
In recent days, Muhoozi has repeatedly vowed to remove Ssenyonyi from his position as Leader of the Opposition.
“I have instructed PLU to study how to remove @JoelSsenyonyi from being leader of the opposition as soon as possible,” Muhoozi posted earlier this week.
In another post, the First Son said: “I want a new leader of the opposition in Parliament. And I will get him. He will be endorsed by me.”
Muhoozi further claimed that nothing in Uganda’s laws prevents him from appointing a Leader of the Opposition, remarks that have sparked criticism from opposition supporters and constitutional experts.
The army chief also appeared to link the recent arrest of Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago to what he described as a wider “Rectification Campaign.”
“My arrest of Lukwago is just the beginning of the ‘Rectification Campaign’ in Uganda. The lists are long. Many more traitors are going to be arrested too. Uganda will be purified,” he wrote.
Ssenyonyi’s reference to the Butambala file is particularly significant.
The case stems from violence that erupted in Butambala District during and after the January 2026 general elections. Several people, including prominent National Unity Platform (NUP) leaders, were subsequently charged with terrorism and related offences.
Among those charged is Butambala County MP and NUP Vice President for Buganda Region , Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, who was accused alongside several others of participating in attacks on Kibibi Police Station, the district tally centre and other incidents linked to election-related violence.The incidents ,according to State led to death of seven people.
Kivumbi and his co-accused have denied the charges, maintaining that the prosecution is politically motivated.
Ssenyonyi, who has become one of Parliament’s most outspoken anti-corruption voices, has in recent years led investigations into alleged abuse of public funds and government expenditure, earning praise from supporters and criticism from sections of the ruling establishment.
His latest claims are likely to heighten concerns among opposition supporters about what they describe as increasing political pressure on dissenting voices in the aftermath of the 2026 general elections.
Neither Parliament, NUP nor security agencies had issued formal statements on the matter by press time.