National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has issued a grave warning about the health and safety of his detained chief bodyguard, Edward Ssebuufu, also known as Eddy Mutwe, saying Mutwe is “dying slowly” while in military custody.
Speaking in an emotional address, Kyagulanyi said the situation is no longer about numbers or statistics but about real human lives: “These are children of people, mothers and husbands. Like the missing 18 who were taken and have not been seen to this day — here are mothers and wives still looking for their loved ones who were arrested alongside Eddy Mutwe.”
Mutwe was abducted on April 27 by armed men near Kampala, and for days, both the police and military denied knowledge of his whereabouts.
However, matters escalated when General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces and son of President Museveni, mockingly posted on social media that he was holding Mutwe in his "basement and teaching him Runyankole.”
“These claims were heard and seen by everyone religious leaders, the international community, and the public — yet all this couldn’t move the first son to release Mutwe,” Kyagulanyi lamented.
Mutwe has since been presented in court on robbery charges, but his physical condition sparked outrage. Justice Minister Norbert Mao confirmed that Mutwe showed signs of torture and called the circumstances of his detention an abuse of judicial processes.
“As we speak, Eddy Mutwe is dying slowly,” Kyagulanyi warned. “If Eddy doesn’t get special treatment, he’s going to die on our watch like has always been.” He added that while I would suggest prayers, “that is not enough I should say we fight for him.”
The Uganda Human Rights Commission has also weighed in, ordering Muhoozi to release Mutwe and terming the detention unlawful to no avail.