MASAKA — The High Court in Masaka has granted bail to four civilian bodyguards attached to National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, after they spent more than a year on remand over robbery and assault charges.
Justice Victoria Nakintu on Wednesday ordered each of the four accused persons to pay Shs5 million in cash bail.
The beneficiaries are Edward Ssebuufu, alias Eddie Mutwe; Achileo Kivumbi; Robert Gadafi Mugumya; and Grace Wakabi, alias Smart.
The judge also directed that each accused person provide sureties who will execute non-cash security of Shs50 million.
The bail application was argued by a team of lawyers led by Samuel Muyizi. Journalists were not allowed inside the courtroom during the proceedings.
NUP supporters who had gathered at the court welcomed the ruling. By late afternoon, however, the four had not been released as efforts were still underway to raise the required money.
Masaka MP Gonzaga Ssewungu appealed to supporters to contribute towards the bail, which amounts to Shs20 million for the four accused persons.
The case against the four arises from an incident on May 18, 2024, at Manja Village, Kisekka Sub-county in Lwengo District, where they were attending the burial of businessman Pascal Ssekasamba.
Prosecution alleges that the accused persons assaulted and robbed several people at the funeral, including journalists who were covering the burial.
They are facing counts of aggravated robbery, simple robbery and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The four have denied the accusations, while NUP has also rejected the allegations against its members.
Their previous attempt to secure bail was unsuccessful. In August 2025, the court dismissed an earlier bail application after finding that it had not been sufficiently satisfied that the accused would not interfere with witnesses. The court subsequently directed that the case be prepared for trial.
Wednesday’s bail order, however, does not mean all four will immediately walk out of prison.
Ssebuufu and Kivumbi remain on remand over a separate case before the magistrate’s court at Kanyanya in Kawempe Division. They are accused of participating in an unauthorised assembly allegedly organised for military-style training.
The two deny the allegations, while NUP has described the case as politically motivated and trumped up.
Mugumya and Wakabi are expected to be released after fulfilling the cash bail requirements and meeting the other conditions set by the court.
The Masaka case remains pending. The bail decision does not determine the accused persons’ guilt or innocence, and they remain presumed innocent unless convicted.
