Africa-Press – Uganda. National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, commonly known as Bobi Wine, has accused state security agencies of subjecting his personal bodyguard, Edward Ssebuufu alias Eddie Mutwe, to severe torture during his recent incommunicado detention.
Speaking after a visit to Masaka Main Prison alongside family members and party colleagues, Kyagulanyi described what he called “barbaric and inhumane” treatment inflicted on Mutwe and three other detained NUP members Achilleo Kivumbi, Gaddafi Mugumya, and Grace Wakabi.
“Eddie Mutwe is alive that’s the only good news,” Kyagulanyi said.
“He is in great pain. He was electrocuted, waterboarded, beaten daily, and subjected to psychological torment.”
Kyagulanyi further alleged that Mutwe was stripped naked, injected with unknown substances, denied clean water, and forced to wear a T-shirt bearing President Museveni’s image.
He was allegedly put at gunpoint and ordered to swear allegiance to Museveni and his son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
He also claimed that Mutwe was beaten for not understanding Runyakore, the president’s native language.
“Muhoozi personally participated in the torture,” Kyagulanyi alleged, adding that the general mocked and physically assaulted Mutwe despite his being handcuffed.
The NUP leader also claimed that loudspeakers were used during torture sessions to drown out Mutwe’s screams.
He said Mutwe’s feet were badly swollen and that he remains unable to walk unaided.
“He should be in a hospital, not in prison,” Kyagulanyi added, stating that the detainees had committed no offence.
Mutwe was reportedly abducted by security operatives from Mukono District on April 27, 2025, and held without communication for several days.
His detention was publicly acknowledged last week by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who admitted that Mutwe had been held in a basement facility.
On Monday, Mutwe appeared before the Masaka Grade One Magistrate’s Court under tight security, escorted by armed plainclothes operatives using a white Toyota Hiace, locally referred to as a “drone.”
He was visibly limping, dressed in a dark blue shirt and black jeans folded at the knees, and supported by two men.
Masaka Magistrate Abudallah Kayiza read out six charges against him, including aggravated robbery, robbery, and assault offences allegedly committed in May 2024 during the burial of UK-based businessman Pascal Ssekasamba at Manja village in Kisekka Sub-county, Lwengo District.
The charges were read to him in a closed-door session held in the magistrate’s chambers, attended only by his lawyer Magellan Kazibwe and state attorney Michael Wakosesa.
According to the charge sheet, Mutwe is to be tried alongside three other members of Kyagulanyi’s security team
Achilleo Kivumbi, Grace Wakabi alias “Smart-wa-Bobi,” and Gaddafi Mugumya who were charged earlier this year and remain on remand at Masaka Central Prison.
Torture is prohibited under Article 24 of Uganda’s Constitution and international human rights conventions to which the country is a signatory.
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