Kasim Ssebudde, a National Unity Platform (NUP) supporter popularly known as Kinta Kunte, was on Thursday evening dumped near his home in Mukono Municipality by unknown persons, weeks after his alleged abduction alongside Robert Kyagulanyi’s chief bodyguard, Eddie Mutwe.
Ssebudde emerged visibly frail and with fresh scars across his body, which he said were the result of torture during his illegal detention.
He told journalists that he had initially been held together with Eddie Mutwe and another NUP member, Kyagulanyi Najabi, before the three were separated and taken to different undisclosed locations.
“We were abducted on the same day. I was held with Eddie Mutwe and Najabi, but they later took each of us to different places. I was beaten, questioned—tortured without any charge,” he said.
His disappearance on April 27 triggered public concern, especially after Eddie Mutwe was later produced in Masaka High Court facing multiple charges, including robbery and assault.
The two men were reportedly taken by heavily armed operatives driving a drone—an unmarked van now synonymous with forced disappearances.
Speaking while presenting Ssebudde to the media, NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi condemned what he described as a deliberate campaign of repression targeting opposition voices.
“These are not signs of strength; they are signs of weakness. They see that elections are near, and they are trying to destabilise us,” Kyagulanyi said.
He called on party members and supporters to remain defiant.
“We are going to push up. This time it is a protest vote. We shall not give up.”
The resurfacing of Ssebudde follows the recent appearance of Eddie Mutwe in court after more than a week in illegal detention.
Mutwe was supported by security officers into the courtroom, looking visibly weak and shaken.
His case has since sparked condemnation from human rights organisations and triggered fresh protests in parts of the country.
Meanwhile, concern is growing over the whereabouts of another NUP hangers-on, Noah Mutwe, who has also reportedly been abducted.
His location remains unknown.
As the country edges closer to the 2026 general elections, the National Unity Platform says it is bracing for increased intimidation.
But Ssebudde’s return, bruised though he is, has added another voice to the party’s vow to resist state repression.
“They tortured me, but I am still here. I am not afraid,” Ssebudde said.
