The whereabouts of assistant superintendent of police (ASP) Charles Twiine, the former spokesperson of the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), remain a mystery after he was ‘handed over’ to the elite Special Forces Command (SFC), according to multiple sources within the Uganda Police Force.

Twiine, who has been serving as a CID officer attached to parliament since his transfer from CID headquarters three years ago, was reportedly summoned Tuesday night for a meeting with Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abas Byakagaba and his deputy, Maj Gen James Ochaya.

He travelled back to Kampala late in the evening after spending the day accompanying members of parliament on official duties. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that Twine arrived at the police headquarters in Naguru as early as 7:30 am on Wednesday morning and subsequently held a meeting with the IGP and his deputy.

The exact nature and cause of the meeting remain unclear, but shortly after the high-level engagement, Twine was reportedly handed over to SFC officers who had been waiting in a parked vehicle within the police compound. After the meeting, according to sources, SFC soldiers took him away, and his vehicle is still parked at police, and none of his known phone numbers are going through. 

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) acting spokesperson, Col Chris Magezi, when contacted, directed inquiries to SFC spokesperson Maj Jimmy Omara.

“I haven’t got any information regarding Twine’s arrest by our officers. But let me verify, and I will provide the information when I get it,” said Omara.

The SFC is an elite military unit responsible for the security of President Yoweri Museveni, his family, and critical state installations. However, the unit has come under criticism in recent years for its alleged involvement in abductions, particularly targeting supporters of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP).

One of the most high-profile recent cases was the abduction of Bobi Wine’s bodyguard, Edward Ssebuwuufu, alias Eddie Mutwe, who was held incommunicado for several days.

Twine rose to prominence during his tenure as CID spokesperson under the leadership of former CID Director Grace Akullo. His abrupt removal followed the appointment of Maj Tom Magambo to head CID, after which Twine was reassigned to parliament. 

At the time of publishing, no official charges had been announced against Twine, and his whereabouts remain unknown. The secrecy surrounding his arrest and detention by a military unit raises fresh concerns about due process and the growing role of SFC in internal law enforcement matters. By URN/ The Observer