KAMPALA, Uganda — A former spokesperson for Uganda’s Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) is facing serious charges, including inciting violence and hate speech, after allegedly posting messages targeting President Yoweri Museveni and the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Charles Twiine, a senior detective attached to Parliament, was remanded to Luzira Prison until June 5 after appearing before Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi on Thursday.
Twiine, 48, an assistant superintendent of Police, is accused alongside National Unity Platform (NUP) supporter Noah Mitala, also known as Noah Mutwe, of posting messages attacking President Museveni, Gen. Kainerugaba, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, and her deputy Thomas Tayebwa. Twiine also faces accusations of inciting the public against Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, Gen. James Birungi.
He pleaded not guilty to two counts of incitement of violence and five counts of hate speech, along with an alternative count of malicious information. Twiine and Mitala are also jointly charged with conspiracy to commit a felony. If convicted, incitement of violence carries a maximum sentence of 14 years, while conspiracy, hate speech, and malicious information can lead to a seven-year jail term.
Though sureties were present in court for the accused, their bail applications could not be heard immediately as the necessary documents had not yet been uploaded to the Electronic Court Case Management Information System. Magistrate Kayizzi advised them to first upload the documents before bail could be considered.
Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka and Senior State Attorney Ivan Kyazze informed the court that investigations into the matter are ongoing and requested an adjournment.
Twiine, who was not represented by a lawyer in court, appeared calm in the dock, telling reporters as he was led out, “Officers in various offices can do better.” Mitala was represented by lawyers Jonathan Elotu and Brian Twinamanya.
Twiine was arrested last Wednesday after reportedly being summoned to Police headquarters in Naguru by Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba. Following his arrest, police conducted a search at his home in Bukemba cell, Kasangati town council, Wakiso district. His vehicle remained parked at Naguru at the time of reporting.
Mitala, his co-accused, claimed he was abducted from his home in Matugga, Wakiso district, on May 4 by six security operatives, detained in an unknown location, and tortured. Magistrate Kayizzi stated this matter would be addressed in the next court session on June 5, citing a judicial officers’ symposium next week.
Prosecution alleges that between January 2024 and May 2025, in various locations within Kampala, Twiine used electronic social media messages to incite Mitala to attack and cause the death of President Museveni and Gen.1 Kainerugaba using pavers.
Twiine is further accused of sending or sharing information via computer describing Gen. Kainerugaba as a “fat pig and crook,” information allegedly likely to ridicule, degrade, or demean him.
He is also accused of sharing information via computer stating that Speaker Among is a “rotten human being and the chief sponsor of the killings and violence in Bukedea district,” which is alleged to promote hostility against the Speaker.
Additionally, prosecutors purport that Twiine sent or shared information via computer describing Deputy Speaker Tayebwa as a “money launderer, masquerader and fraudster,” information allegedly likely to ridicule, degrade, or demean him.
Finally, Twiine is accused of sending or sharing information through a computer about Gen. Birungi, stating that he is a “crook and killer.”
