BUSHENYI – The High Court in Bushenyi has acquitted medical doctor Dr. Gilverse Twine of rape and incest charges involving his biological daughter, ending a criminal case that had been before the courts since 2022.
In a judgment delivered on July 20, 2026, Justice Amos Kwizera ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt and ordered Dr. Twine’s immediate release.
The court’s discharge order found Dr. Twine not guilty of rape contrary to Sections 123 and 124 of the Penal Code Act and incest contrary to Section 149 of the Penal Code Act. The court further directed that he be discharged forthwith unless he was being held on other lawful charges.
The case stemmed from allegations made in June 2022 after Dr. Twine’s then 17-year-old daughter, a Senior Three student at Bweranyangi Girls Secondary School, was found to have undergone an incomplete abortion. Prosecutors alleged that the doctor had sexually assaulted and impregnated his daughter, leading to his arrest and subsequent remand.
However, during the trial, the complainant recanted her earlier allegations. She testified before the court that the pregnancy resulted from a relationship with her boyfriend and stated that her initial accusations against her father had been made under the influence of her teachers.
Defence lawyer Michael Kasenene argued that the prosecution had failed to present credible and consistent evidence to sustain the charges. He also challenged the handling of the case, noting that the charges had changed during the proceedings from defilement to incest and later to rape.
After reviewing the evidence presented by both parties, Justice Kwizera concluded that the prosecution had not established the offences beyond the required legal standard of proof. The judge held that the evidence on record did not sufficiently implicate Dr. Twine in the alleged crimes.
The acquittal brings to a close a case that attracted public attention and kept the medical doctor on remand for several years while awaiting the conclusion of his trial. With the ruling, the court ordered his immediate discharge unless he is lawfully required in connection with any other matter.
