Two Ugandan men who had been missing for over a week — former Police Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) spokesperson Charles Twiine and Noah Mutwe, a civilian bodyguard to opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (also known as Bobi Wine) — have resurfaced and appeared in court.
The two were taken to Buganda Road Court on Thursday, May 22, 2025, where they were formally presented before a magistrate. However, the specific charges against them were not disclosed to the media at the time of their appearance.
Mr. Twiine, who holds the rank of Deputy Assistant Superintendent of Police (D/ASP), had reportedly gone missing on May 14, 2025. According to his wife, Ms. Kate Kabagenyi, he had been summoned to the Police Headquarters at Naguru in Kampala, where he was expected to meet the Inspector General of Police.
“He arrived at the police headquarters, and we have proof of that,” Ms. Kabagenyi told the press.
“His vehicle is still parked there. But after that, no one could account for his whereabouts. I tried visiting different offices at Naguru, but I was just being moved in circles.”
D/ASP Twiine was serving as an investigations officer attached to Parliament at the time of his disappearance. The circumstances under which he vanished—particularly from within a secure government facility—have raised questions about internal procedures and transparency within law enforcement.
Meanwhile, Mr. Noah Mutwe, a longtime associate and bodyguard of the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader, was abducted from his home on May 15, 2025, a day after Twiine’s disappearance. According to his wife, a group of masked, armed men stormed their residence and violently took him from his bedroom.
For days, his whereabouts remained unknown until he was seen in court on May 22 alongside Mr. Twiine. Their unexplained disappearance sparked significant public concern and criticism.
D/ASP Twiine was serving as an investigations officer attached to Parliament at the time of his disappearance. The circumstances under which he vanished—particularly from within a secure government facility—have raised questions about internal procedures and transparency within law enforcement.
Meanwhile, Mr. Noah Mutwe, a longtime associate and bodyguard of the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader, was abducted from his home on May 15, 2025, a day after Twiine’s disappearance. According to his wife, a group of masked, armed men stormed their residence and violently took him from his bedroom.
For days, his whereabouts remained unknown until he was seen in court on May 22 alongside Mr. Twiine. Their unexplained disappearance sparked significant public concern and criticism.
Human rights activists, opposition politicians, and members of civil society launched online campaigns demanding the safe return of both men. The hashtag-driven movement saw wide engagement, particularly among supporters of the opposition.
These latest incidents come amid growing concern over enforced disappearances and abductions of opposition supporters, activists, and civilians. Human rights organizations have documented a steady increase in such cases since the 2021 general elections, often implicating security agencies.
Critics fear that these patterns of politically motivated disappearances could intensify as the country heads into the 2026 general elections. The recent resurfacing of Twiine and Mutwe adds to a string of high-profile cases that remain under public scrutiny.
The government and security agencies have not issued any official statement explaining the reasons behind the arrests or the prolonged incommunicado detention of the two men. Legal experts and rights watchdogs have called for a transparent investigation and for the suspects to be granted full access to legal representation.
The presence of Twiine in this scenario has also surprised many observers, as he previously served as a high-profile spokesperson for the CID and was known for defending the force’s actions in public. His own detention under mysterious circumstances has raised questions about internal divisions and power struggles within Uganda’s security establishment.
These latest incidents come amid growing concern over enforced disappearances and abductions of opposition supporters, activists, and civilians. Human rights organizations have documented a steady increase in such cases since the 2021 general elections, often implicating security agencies.
Critics fear that these patterns of politically motivated disappearances could intensify as the country heads into the 2026 general elections. The recent resurfacing of Twiine and Mutwe adds to a string of high-profile cases that remain under public scrutiny.
The government and security agencies have not issued any official statement explaining the reasons behind the arrests or the prolonged incommunicado detention of the two men. Legal experts and rights watchdogs have called for a transparent investigation and for the suspects to be granted full access to legal representation.
The presence of Twiine in this scenario has also surprised many observers, as he previously served as a high-profile spokesperson for the CID and was known for defending the force’s actions in public. His own detention under mysterious circumstances has raised questions about internal divisions and power struggles within Uganda’s security establishment.
Post a Comment
0Comments