By Our Reporter
Former spokesperson of Uganda’s Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), Charles Mansio Twiine, has been further remanded until June 17, 2025, as investigations into multiple hate speech and incitement charges against him and co-accused Noah Mitala (alias Noah Mutwe), a butcher and known supporter of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), continue.
The two are jointly facing eight charges, including incitement to violence, spreading malicious information, hate speech, and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Court Proceedings & Bail Application
Appearing before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi on Thursday, the prosecution, led by Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka, informed the court that investigations were still incomplete. Both Twiine and Mitala, represented by their respective legal teams, submitted bail applications, arguing that the charges are bailable under Ugandan law.
Twiine presented four sureties to support his application:
- Alex Atuhaire, a lecturer at Victoria University and long-time associate
- Ketty Kabagenyi, his wife and a teacher at Namagunga
- James Mugisha, Commissioner for Compliance at the Equal Opportunities Commission
- Basimwa, his brother and director of Baguma Restaurant in Mbarara
Mitala, on his part, presented his father Henry Kabuye, and two relatives, Esther Harriet Namala and Juliet Namusoke, as sureties.
Despite the applications having been filed via the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) on June 2, the prosecution opposed a swift ruling. Birivumbuka argued that time was needed to verify the sureties’ documents and investigate Mitala’s claim of being engaged in the pork business.
Citing scheduling constraints—including a public holiday, the weekend, and another holiday the following week—Birivumbuka asked for an extension, stating:
“Bail is a mini-trial. Facts presented by the defence must be rebutted with verified evidence.”
Magistrate Kayizzi granted the request, remanding both accused until June 17, and directed the prosecution to file its formal response by that date.
Explosive Allegations
According to the prosecution, between January 2024 and May 2025, Twiine allegedly used social media platforms to incite Mitala to attack and assassinate both President Yoweri Museveni and his son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, using pavers.
Twiine is also accused of disseminating a series of malicious and defamatory statements via computer, including claims that:
- Speaker Anita Among is “a rotten human being and the chief sponsor of killings in Bukedea.”
- Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa is “a money launderer, masquerader, and fraudster.”
- Gen Muhoozi is “a fat pig and a crook.”
- Gen James Birungi is “a crook and killer.”
- “Bahima are killers,” a comment described by prosecutors as inflammatory and ethnically divisive.
The prosecution contends these remarks were intended to incite hostility and undermine public trust in key government officials.
Twiine and Mitala deny all charges and maintain their innocence. Their case is one of several currently before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court involving accusations of malicious communication and hate speech targeting top government figures, especially Speaker Among.
Other prominent cases include those of social media critic Ibrahim Musana (aka Pressure 24 Seven) and former Rubaga deputy RCC Herbert Anderson Burora. Notably, despite numerous arrests and extended remands, no substantive evidence has yet been presented in court in any of the related cases.
The continued pre-trial detention of these individuals has raised concerns over the balance between national security, free speech, and due process.
