National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Bobi Wine’s bodyguards have finally secured bail after spending more than a year on remand over an aggravated robbery case in Masaka.
The Masaka High Court on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, granted Eddie Mutwe, Gaddafi Mugumya, Grace Wakabi alias Smart and Achilleo Kivumbi Shs5 million cash bail each. Their sureties were also required to execute non-cash bail bonds of Shs50 million each.
The four are facing charges of aggravated robbery, assault and malicious damage to property arising from an alleged incident during a burial ceremony in Lwengo District in May 2024.
Prosecution alleges that the accused assaulted journalists covering the burial before allegedly taking some of their property.
The defence had argued that the accused had spent a prolonged period on remand without trial, while also relying on their constitutional right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Their earlier attempt to secure bail was rejected by the Masaka High Court in August 2025, after the prosecution raised concerns that the accused could interfere with witnesses. The court instead directed that the case be scheduled for trial.
However, Wednesday’s ruling brought relief to the accused and their legal team, with their lawyer Samuel Muyizzi welcoming the decision and saying the court had recognised their right to a speedy trial.
Despite the bail ruling, Mutwe and Kivumbi will not immediately walk out of prison because they have separate cases pending before courts in Kampala. Their release in the Masaka case is therefore affected by those other proceedings.
Mugumya and Wakabi, meanwhile, were required to fulfil the bail conditions, including payment of the cash bail and passport-related requirements, before their release.
The accused have denied the allegations and remain presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
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