Ex-CID spokesperson Twiine charged over plotting to kill Museveni, Muhoozi

Former Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) spokesperson Charles Twiine has been charged with inciting violence, hate speech, malicious information, and conspiracy to commit a felony, offences linked to an alleged plot to attack and kill President Yoweri Museveni and his son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).

Twiine appeared today, Thursday, before Buganda Road chief magistrate Ronald Kayizzi, alongside Noah Mutwe, a bodyguard to National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine).

Mutwe has been in detention for the past two weeks. According to the prosecution, Twiine used electronic social media messages to incite Mutwe also known as Mitala Noah to “attack and cause the death of the President of the Republic of Uganda using pavers,” allegedly motivated by Museveni’s political views and position of office.

The same accusation was extended to a similar plot against Muhoozi. The state further alleges that Twiine and Mutwe violated provisions of the Computer Misuse Act by sharing content intended to promote tribal hostility and defame public officials.

Among the contentious statements, Twiine is accused of calling speaker of parliament Anita Among a “rotten human being” and the chief sponsor of killings in her Bukedea district.

He also allegedly described deputy speaker Thomas Tayebwa as a “money launderer, masquerader, and fraudster.” Furthermore, Twiine allegedly referred to Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba as a “fat pig and crook” and labelled Gen James Birungi a “crook and killer.”

He also allegedly called the Bahima tribe “killers”, a statement the prosecution says was intended to promote hostility against the ethnic group. Both Twiine and Mutwe denied the charges. The court remanded them to Luzira Prison until June 5, when they are expected to return for further proceedings.

The case against Twiine has sent shockwaves through the security and political establishment, given his past role as a high-ranking police spokesperson and his public support of state abductions and torture.