By Faridah N Kulumba
Africa-Press – Uganda. The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Chairperson Ms Mariam Wangadya, ordered the Uganda Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Muhoozi Kainerugaba also the first son to release the civilian bodyguard of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine who was abducted on the 26 April. It is now a week since Eddie Mutwe has been missing. This forced the party to belong to the National Unity Platform (NUP) petitioning the courts of law demanding for his whereabouts. On 29th April 2025, NUp President Kyagulanyi said that the party’s legal team had petitioned the courts to compel Uganda’s government to either release Eddie Mutwe or produce him before court.
The detainee
On Thursday night President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s son General Muhoozi confirmed the detention of Eddie Mutwe and that he was keeping him in his basement. “He is in my basement,” said Kainerugaba on X, formerly Twitter. “If you see Eddie’s head now he looks like an egg. Totally clean,” the General added. In a series of posts on X, Muhoozi made remarks suggesting Mutwe was in custody and had undergone changes during his detention. Adding that Eddie Mutwe’ hair plus his long beard were shaved. “The beards were the first thing the boys removed. After he finished crying and urinating,” Muhoozi wrote. He followed with: “If you see Eddie’s head now he looks like an egg. Totally clean.” And later added: “Eddie is looking very smart these days. The boys have tuned him well. He salutes Mzee’s picture every day before breakfast.” However, Muhoozi did not explicitly state where Mutwe is being held or under what legal framework, the statements have been widely interpreted as confirmation that he is under the control of security personnel.
UHRC’s order
After the astonishing detention confirmation that was made by the CDF, the UHRC took a significant step in demanding the release of Bobi Wine’s bodyguard. According to the letter, Ssebuufu has been in detention since April 26, 2025, and the UHRC believes he is being unlawfully detained or restricted. The Commission has cited Article 53(2)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and Rule 31 of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (Procedure) Rules in directing the CDF to cause Ssebuufu’s immediate release. The UHRC and NUP have clashed on several occasions over missing party supporters. NUP accused the UHRC of not taking action while the party supporters were being abducted and tortured by the state. While UHRC accused the NUP of not cooperating with the commission over alleged missing persons. In May 2024, Bobi Wine withdrew a complaint that was filed in 2019 with the Uganda UHRC, after citing a lack of confidence in the commission’s ability to effectively investigate and address human rights violations. In a letter addressed to the Chairperson of the UHRC, Kyagulanyi explained the reasons behind their decision. The complaint was initially filed on December 7, 2018, after security agencies obstructed more than 20 music concerts, confiscated their equipment, and violated the rights of individuals solely based on their political affiliation.
Bobi’s reaction to the CDF’s tweets
After Muhoozi posted on social media as he was keeping Mutwe’ in his basement Kyagulanyi responded by saying that time will tell. “Time will tell.” Bobo.Wine responded to Kainerugaba’s post.Kyagulanyi who recently declared his intention to challenge President Museveni for the second time in the 2026 elections, on 29th April alleged that the abduction of his supporters, and the recent raids on NUP offices by the security forces were meant to frustrate preparations for the 2026 general elections. He described the interference as unlawful and politically motivated. “Whatever they do, we shall not be deterred. Our mission is clear: to return power to the people,” Kyagulanyi said. “Whatever they do, we shall not be deterred. Our mission is clear: to return power to the people,” Kyagulanyi said. In January 2025, General Muhoozi said he wanted to behead the head of the Bobi Wine.
Outrageous
Ssebuufu’s detention has raised concerns about the safety of opposition leaders and their associates in Uganda. The use of social media by General Muhoozi to announce Ssebuufu’s detention and threaten him has sparked public anger, with many questioning the military’s code of discipline. Fred Muhindo a political analysis and interview with Africa-Press said a whole General boasting for capturing a civilian, who in true Military sciences and tactics is nothing. And the civilian is a Ugandan whom the Army is supposed to protect from external aggression. Had it been that he captured El-Shababu Commander it would have been an achievement. Wabula James, a journalist reacted by saying that former Ugandan presidents Milton Obote and Idd Amin kept family members out of politics. “Museveni’s power axis now assuming family line…the son commanding the army issuing threats to journalists, opposition even abducting and bragging about it! Is this a steady descent into primitive fascism as Prof Mamdhani is arguing in his new book? asked Wabula.
What next?
NUP officials have called for clarity on the matter and demanded that Mutwe be produced in court if he is in lawful custody. “This is a clear indication that our colleague is being held. We expect the state to follow the law,” one party official said. Surprisingly no official statement had been issued by the Uganda Police Force, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), or other government agencies regarding Mutwe’s status.
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