NUP Slams Fresh Charges Against Eddy Mutwe, Kivumbi After Dramatic Rearrest
National Unity Platform (NUP) leaders have lashed out at the state after two of their members, Edward Ssebuufu, alias Eddy Mutwe, and Achileo Kivumbi, were slapped with fresh charges of unlawful drilling at Kawempe Magistrates Court in Kanyanya—just hours after appearing in Masaka High Court.
The duo was dramatically whisked away “at breakneck speed in a drone” under tight security from Masaka towards Kampala, according to NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya. He suggested the heavy deployment at the Masaka High Court “might have been aimed at ensuring their rearrest in case they were granted bail,” calling it “an abuse of court processes to settle political scores.”
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, said the fresh charge was “continued persecution of opposition figures,” but expressed hope that “in due time, all this will be history.”
Earlier in the day, the Masaka High Court had set Friday, August 22, to rule on whether to grant bail to Mutwe, Kivumbi, and two others—Mugumya Gadafi and Grace Wakabi. They face multiple charges, including aggravated robbery, four counts of simple robbery, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, stemming from a May 18, 2024, incident during a burial in Manja village, Lwengo District.
Mutwe’s lawyer, Samuel Muyizi, argued for his client’s release on bail, citing his fixed place of residence and clean record. Hon Goreth Namugga, MP for Mawogola County, and businessman Charles Kirumira Lwanga stood as sureties.
However, state prosecutor Caroline Namuwenge opposed the application, questioning the credibility of the sureties and raising national security concerns—claims the defence dismissed as unfounded.
