KAMPALA.
Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court has denied bail to Noah Mitala alias Nuwa Mutwe, a civilian bodyguard to National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine.
However, the same court released his co-accused, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and former spokesperson of Crime Investigations Directorate Charles Twine.The duo had spent one month and seven days on remand.
In his ruling on Monday the Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi said Twine had fulfilled the requirements to get bail .He is facing charges including inciting violence, hate speech, and malicious communication against top government officials.
“Having considered the nature of the offence, the gravity, and the substantiality of the sureties presented, I do find all the four sureties substantial, and I find the accused person (A1) Detective ASP Twine has complied with the bail guidelines,” Mr Kayizzi ruled.
Twine was released on a cash bail of Shs5 million. His four sureties—Kate Kabagenyi, a teacher at St. Mary’s Namagunga; James Mugisha, a commissioner at the Equal Opportunities Commission; Alex Atuhaire, a lecturer at Victoria University; and businessman Kewufosi Basiimwa—were each bonded at Shs50 million non-cash.
State prosecutors, led by Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka, opposed the bail application, arguing the sureties were not credible. They questioned Kabagenyi’s claim of being Twine’s wife and cited Mugisha’s work ID expiration date.
The magistrate dismissed the objections, calling them speculative.
“There is no evidence from the Equal Opportunities Commission confirming that the surety [Mugisha] will be unemployed by tomorrow. I therefore find him substantial,” Mr Kayizzi said.
He further ruled that Atuhaire and Basiimwa were traceable and gainfully employed, satisfying requirements under Guidelines 12, 13, and 15 of the Constitutional Bail Guidelines.
In contrast, Mitala’s application was denied due to lack of credible sureties. Only his father, Henry Kawuma, a self-proclaimed land dealer, was deemed acceptable.
“Save for Mr Kawuma, the rest of the sureties have no proof of gainful employment or ability to fulfill bond obligations,” the magistrate held.
Mitala remains on remand and was advised to return with more credible sureties or apply for bail from the High Court. The case was adjourned to July 14.
Both Twine and Mitala are facing charges of inciting violence against President Museveni and Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba. They also face counts of hate speech and malicious communication targeting Speaker Anita Among, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, and others.
The state alleges that between January 2024 and May 2025, Twine used electronic communication to incite Mitala to harm top officials. Both men deny the charges.