Proceedings in the high-profile terrorism case involving Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, the Member of Parliament for Butambala County, and 24 co-accused were on Tuesday halted at the magistrates' court in Butambala District after the prosecution failed to present committal papers required to transfer the case to the High Court.

The delay followed an unexpected development in court, where two of the accused, Nicholas Walakira and Calvin Kayanja, publicly distanced themselves from claims attributed to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Appearing before Magistrate Deogratias Ssejjemba, the duo denied allegations that their relatives had petitioned the DPP requesting a change in legal representation.

The prosecution, through the state attorney, had cited the alleged complaints as the basis for returning the case file for further review, a process that ultimately led to the absence of committal papers.

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However, Walakira and Kayanja told court that no such complaints had been made on their behalf, raising fresh questions over the prosecution's explanation for the procedural delay.

The court had been expected to formally commit the accused to the High Court for trial, but the matter stalled when the required documentation was found to be incomplete.

Magistrate Ssejjemba expressed concern over the missing papers and sought clarification from the prosecution on the conflicting accounts presented in court.

Legal observers note that the inconsistencies could further slow down proceedings in a case already marked by repeated delays and growing public attention.

The magistrate is expected to issue further directions as the prosecution completes its review and clarifies the circumstances surrounding the alleged complaints.