Nuwa Mutwe, the bodyguard of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (alias Bobi Wine), has finally been granted bail after spending 61 days at Luzira Prison. Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi ruled in favor of bail, citing Mutwe’s constitutional right to mandatory bail under Articles 23 and 28.
Mutwe, whose real name is Noah Mitala, faces charges with Detective ASP Charles Twine. They are accused of inciting violence and spreading malicious communication against government officials, including President Yoweri Museveni and Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. These charges span from January 2024 to May 2025, but both deny the accusations.
On July 23, 2025, Magistrate Kayizzi emphasized that Mutwe deserved bail. He referenced Article 28, which guarantees a fair hearing and presumption of innocence. He also pointed to Article 23, which protects personal liberty.
Magistrate Kayizzi said, “Today marks 61 days since the accused took plea on May 22, 2025. The trial has not started, and the State has yet to disclose its evidence. Therefore, he is entitled to mandatory bail under Article 23(6)(b).”
The court approved two sureties—Kawempe Division Mayor Emmanuel Sserunjoji and Buganda Kingdom Speaker Florence Kiwanuka. Although the prosecution raised objections to their credibility and documentation, the court proceeded with their acceptance. The court set the bail at Shs5 million, with each surety bonded at Shs50 million.
Moreover, Mutwe cannot leave the country without permission from the court. The next hearing will take place on August 25, 2025.
Tense Courtroom Exchanges
The bail ruling followed tense moments in court. State Attorney Ivan Kyazze questioned the credibility of the sureties. He dismissed Mayor Sserunjoji as “a mere mayor” and doubted his suitability as a guarantor. Kyazze also criticized the mayor for presenting inconsistent residential information and lacking proper identification.
However, Mayor Sserunjoji strongly disagreed, demanding an apology. “I am not a mere mayor. I represent thousands of people,” he retorted, causing murmurs in the courtroom.
The prosecution also expressed concerns over the withdrawal of Councilor Betty Nakaweesi and LC1 Chairperson Michael Buyondo as sureties. They questioned the sudden change and called the move suspicious.
In response, Mutwe’s defense team defended both sureties, highlighting their strong ties to the community. They argued that both Sserunjoji and Kiwanuka were well-respected public figures with the moral standing to ensure the accused’s return to court. The defense referenced legal precedents, noting that similar community leaders had been accepted as sureties in previous cases.
Furthermore, Mutwe’s co-accused, ASP Twine, had already been granted bail after meeting the court’s conditions.
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