By Barbra Zeka
In a case that continues to draw national attention, the Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court has granted bail to former CID spokesperson ASP Charles Mansio Twiine, while denying the same to Noah Mutwe, a bodyguard to National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine. The decision, delivered on June 17, 2025, has fueled debate about selective justice and political bias in Uganda’s legal system.
Both Twiine and Mutwe were arrested in May 2025 and arraigned on several serious charges:
Incitement to violence, allegedly involving plans to harm President Yoweri Museveni and CDF Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Promotion of sectarianism and hate speech targeting specific individuals and ethnic groups.
Use of electronic communication to incite violence, under the Computer Misuse Act.
Prosecution claimed that between January 2024 and May 2025, Twiine and Mutwe exchanged and disseminated messages calling for violent action against government figures, including the Speaker of Parliament, Deputy Speaker, and army generals.
At the bail hearing on June 17, Twiine was successfully granted bail after presenting four sureties, including respected professionals and family members. The court ruled that the sureties were substantial and met all legal requirements.
However, in a surprising and controversial twist, Noah Mutwe was denied bail, with the court citing:
Incomplete verification of his sureties,
Concerns about the reliability of the documentation presented,
Ongoing investigations linked to other alleged offenses.
Mutwe, a known figure in opposition politics and previously a target of state detentions, was ordered to remain on remand at Luzira Prison until further court proceedings
This decision has sparked outrage among NUP supporters and human rights activists, who argue that Mutwe’s continued detention points to political persecution. His lawyer argued that the charges are based on vague social media posts and lack tangible evidence linking him to any conspiracy to commit violence.
Twiine’s release, in contrast, is being seen by critics as evidence of double standards in the justice system, especially considering both men face the same charges
The court scheduled the next mention of the case for July 9, 2025, when both prosecution and defense are expected to update the court on the progress of investigations and any new evidence.
This development reinforces the growing tension between the Ugandan state and opposition figures as the country approaches the 2026 general elections. With Mutwe still behind bars and Twiine out on bail, all eyes now turn to the next hearing for possible shifts in the case’s trajectory.
