By Bobi Wine’s civilian bodyguard, Noah Mitala—also known as Noah Mutwe—has been granted bail by Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi, ending a weeks-long period of uncertainty following his alleged abduction.
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Mutwe was kidnapped at his home in Gombe on May 15 by masked assailants arriving in a nondescript double-cabin vehicle. His uncle was reportedly handcuffed and coerced into revealing Mutwe’s whereabouts before he was taken away to an undisclosed location. The National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, described the abduction as “violent” and a tactic meant to “instil fear” among opposition ranks.
Public concern intensified when revelations surfaced about similar incidents involving Bobi Wine’s other bodyguard, Eddie Mutwe, who alleged he was tortured while held in the basement of CDF Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba. The Uganda Human Rights Commission condemned Eddie’s detention as unlawful and ordered his immediate release
After weeks of secrecy, Mutwe resurfaced in court on May 22 alongside ex-CID spokesperson Charles Twiine. Both were charged with incitement to violence, hate speech, malicious communication, and conspiracy to commit a felony.
On June 30, Magistrate Kayizzi granted bail to Twiin but denied Mutwe’s bail application due to insufficient sureties. Mutwe was remanded to Luzira Prison (Monitor). He made a second bail attempt in July, presenting Kawempe Division Mayor Emmanuel Sserunjogi and Buganda parliamentary speaker Florence Kiwanuka as sureties. The hearing was adjourned to July 21 to allow the prosecution time for due diligence.
Human rights activists, civil society groups, and NUP leaders have strongly condemned Mutwe’s abduction and detention, citing them as politically motivated acts aimed at muzzling dissent ahead of the 2026 elections. Bobi Wine called on the international community to speak out, warning that continued silence would embolden authoritarianism.
Mutwe’s bail has offered momentary relief, but the lack of transparency surrounding his arrest and the charges continues to worry opposition supporters and observers. The case will return to court on July 21 alongside other politically charged detentions seen as part of a broader clampdown as Uganda gears up for next year’s polls.
