The Hoima Post – Trustable News 24 -7
Buganda Road Court, Kampala – July 23, 2025 — There was visible frustration and deep concern today as supporters and legal representatives of Comrade Noah Walusimbi, popularly known as Noah Mutwe, gathered at Buganda Road Court for his long-awaited bail hearing. However, to the disappointment of many, the court denied bail and adjourned the matter to Wednesday, further prolonging what is widely perceived by the opposition and human rights activists as a politically motivated incarceration.
Noah Mutwe, a prominent member of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and a close associate of party president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, a.k.a. Bobi Wine, was arrested under unclear and contested circumstances. He has been held in custody for weeks, with increasing calls for his release echoing both locally and internationally.
The court session, which had attracted a significant number of NUP supporters and civil society observers, concluded swiftly after the presiding magistrate cited “insufficient surety presentation and pending investigations” as grounds for the continued detention. The next hearing has been set for Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
Speaking outside the court, a visibly disappointed NUP legal team member said:
“This is not just a denial of bail. It is a denial of justice. Comrade Noah has fulfilled all bail requirements, yet the state continues to play delay tactics.”
On social media, Bobi Wine (@HEBobiwine) and other party leaders condemned the decision.
“This continued injustice must end!” read a tweet shared shortly after the court decision.
“We are seeing a dangerous pattern where comrades are arrested without clear charges, denied bail, and subjected to endless court adjournments while the real criminals in government roam free.”
Human rights defenders have raised alarms over Uganda’s worsening judicial independence, especially when it comes to opposition politicians and activists. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and other watchdogs have previously called on the Ugandan government to cease politically motivated arrests and respect the constitutional right to bail.
Walusimbi’s arrest and continued detention come amid a broader crackdown on the opposition. Several NUP members, including MPs and youth leaders, have been arrested or abducted in recent months, with many reporting torture, forced disappearances, and long periods of detention without trial.
Many see today’s decision as part of a deliberate effort to suppress political dissent ahead of the 2026 general elections.
As Wednesday’s court date approaches, NUP leaders and supporters have vowed to keep up the pressure, calling for peaceful protests, international attention, and legal advocacy.
The struggle for justice for Comrade Noah Mutwe continues.
