By Spy Uganda
Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has Monday granted bail to Detective Assistant Superintendent of Police (D/ASP) Charles Mansio Twiine, who was arrested alongside political activist Noah Mutwe, real name Mitala Noah. However, in a move that has drawn public criticism, the same court denied bail to Mutwe, sending him back to Luzira Prison.
Twiine had been reported missing on 16 May 2025. After nearly a week of speculation about his whereabouts, he was produced in court on 22 May 2025 together with Mutwe. Both were formally charged and remanded to Luzira Prison.
The duo faces eight serious charges stemming from allegations of inciting violence and spreading harmful content online. These are:
1. Incitement to violence – Allegedly encouraging Mutwe to kill President Yoweri Museveni using pavers
2. Incitement to violence – Allegedly inciting violence against Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba
3. Hate speech – Publishing a statement referring to Speaker Anita Among as “a rotten human being and chief sponsor of killings in Bukedea”
4. Malicious information – Claiming Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa is “a money launderer and fraudster”
5. Malicious information – Referring to Gen. Muhoozi as “a fat pig and crook”
6. Malicious information – Calling Gen. James Birungi “a crook and a killer”
7. Hate speech – Posting tribal content alleging that “the Bahima are killers”
8. Conspiracy to commit a felony – Accused of jointly planning violent action against the President and Chief of Defence Forces between January 2024 and May 2025
While both men were charged together and accused of collaborating in the same offenses, today’s decision saw the court releasing Twiine on bail and denying the same to Mutwe. No clear justification was provided by the court for the differing outcomes.
Twiine is expected to return to court on 26 July 2025 for the next hearing. Mutwe remains in Luzira Prison pending a new bail application from his legal team.
This case has intensified ongoing debates around judicial fairness and the shrinking space for digital expression in Uganda. With the 2026 elections approaching, critics say such selective application of the law only adds fuel to public distrust in the justice system.
