Former spokesperson of the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), Charles Twine, has been formally charged with incitement to violence, hate speech, spreading malicious information, and conspiracy to commit a felony. The charges stem from an alleged scheme to attack and assassinate President Yoweri Museveni and his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the current Chief of Defence Forces.
Twiine appeared before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi on Thursday, alongside Noah Mutwe, a personal bodyguard to National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine. Mutwe has reportedly been in detention for the last two weeks.
According to the prosecution, Twiine allegedly used social media to incite Mutwe to harm the President by throwing pavers at him, citing political motivations. A similar plot was allegedly aimed at Gen Muhoozi. Prosecutors claim Twiine’s digital communications violated the Computer Misuse Act, particularly provisions against content that incites tribal divisions and defames public figures.
Among the allegations, Twiine is said to have made inflammatory remarks against top government officials, including referring to Speaker of Parliament Anita Among as a “rotten human being” and accusing her of sponsoring violence in Bukedea district. He is also alleged to have called Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa a “fraudster and money launderer” and described Gen Muhoozi as a “fat pig and crook.”
Additionally, Twiine reportedly made derogatory comments about Gen James Birungi, branding him a “killer,” and made statements against the Bahima ethnic group, allegedly calling them “killers” remarks the state says were intended to incite ethnic hatred.
Both Twiine and Mutwe pleaded not guilty and have been remanded to Luzira Prison until June 5, when their case will return to court for further proceedings.
Twiine’s arrest and prosecution have stirred significant public attention due to his former role in Uganda’s police leadership and his past defense of controversial state actions, including reported abductions and torture.