Eddie Mutwe Ne Banne Baleeteddwa Mu Kkooti Naye Ebintu Binyizza! Frank Gashumba Aswazizza Ba Pastor

‎Eddie Mutwe, three others granted bail in Lwengo assault case ‎ ‎The High Court in Masaka has granted bail to four civilian bodyguards attached to National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, following their prolonged detention over an alleged attack on journalists. ‎Presiding judge Victoria Nakintu Katamba granted cash bail of Shs5 million to each of the accused persons, including Edward Ssebuufu (alias Eddie Mutwe), Achilleo Kivumbi, Mugumya Gaddafi, and Grace Wakabi (alias Smart). Their sureties were instructed to execute non-cash bail bonds worth Shs50 million each. ‎ ‎The suspects face three counts comprising aggravated robbery, assault, and simple robbery. The charges stem from an incident on May 18, 2024, in Manja Village, Lwengo District, where they allegedly attacked two journalists during the funeral of businessman Pascal Ssekasamba. ‎ ‎The defence legal team, led by Samuel Muyizi, presented several prominent political figures and community members as sureties, including Joseph Gonzaga Ssewungu, Allan Mayanja, Florence Namayanja, Yusuf Nkerettanyi, George Musisi, John Bosco Sserunkuuma, Rose Nalubowa, and Sheila Amaniyo. Lawyers for the accused argued that despite the prosecution's repeated assertions since 2025 that it was ready to proceed with trial, the suspects had remained on remand for anunreasonably extended period. ‎ ‎Despite the court ruling, only Grace Wakabi and Mugumya Gaddafi are set to regain their physical freedom upon submitting their passports or affidavits confirming non-possession to the court. In contrast, Eddie Mutwe and Achilleo Kivumbi will remain in detention due to separate charges pending before the Kawempe Magistrate's Court. ‎Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, defence counsel Samuel Muyizi expressed satisfaction with the court's acknowledgment of the suspects' right to a speedy trial. ‎ ‎"We are happy today that the bail application for Achilleo Kivumbi, Eddie Mutwe Ssebuufu, Grace Wakabi, and Gaddafi Mugumya has been granted," Muyizi said. "It has been a long process. Since the last time we were here when bail was denied, over 13 months have passed. The condition for the initial failure to grant bail was that the state claimed it was ready. However, the state could not continue saying they are ready when they are not. It is against that background that this court ruled these individuals are entitled to a speedy trial." ‎ ‎Muyizi added that the legal team is actively working to secure the release of the remaining two suspects through higher courts. ‎ ‎"The only condition for Wakabi and Mugumya is producing their passports or proof that they do not possess them, alongside paying the Shs5 million cash bail," Muyizi noted. "For Eddie Mutwe and Achilleo Kivumbi, a release order will be issued for this specific case, but they remain in prison pending the hearing of their bail review applications regarding the Kawempe and Kanyanya matters. Those files are currently before the High Court in Kampala, and we believe the reasoning applied by the court today may persuade the High Court to follow suit." ‎ ‎Writing on social media following the ruling, NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya commended both the legal team and the court's decision. ‎ ‎"Our comrades Eddie Mutwe, Achilleo Kivumbi, Gaddafi Mugumya, and Wakabi Smart have been granted Shs5m cash bail each by the High Court at Masaka in respect to the trumped-up case of aggravated robbery," Rubongoya stated. ‎"Unfortunately for Eddie Mutwe and Achilleo Kivumbi, they cannot come out yet as they still have a pending case at the Magistrates Court at Kanyanya. We are very grateful to the legal team, leaders, and family members who stood surety for them. We shall overcome," Mr Rubongoya said. ‎ ‎#EddieMutwe #BobiWine #FrankGashumba ‎