Uganda is facing a wave of public anger and international condemnation after General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of President Yoweri Museveni and the country’s military chief, admitted on social media to detaining Eddie Mutwe, the chief bodyguard of opposition leader Bobi Wine. Mutwe, whose real name is Edward Sebuufu, disappeared on Sunday after reportedly being seized by men in both civilian and military attire in Kiwango. For five days, his whereabouts remained unknown, sparking fears for his safety and a trending #FreeEddieMutwe campaign online.
In a series of provocative posts on X, Gen Kainerugaba claimed Mutwe was “in my basement,” even sharing a photo of the bodyguard with a freshly shaven head and making threats of violence and humiliation. He further stated that Mutwe would only be released on the orders of President Museveni, his father, but provided no legal justification or details of where Mutwe was being held. The posts have been widely condemned as a violation of military discipline and Uganda’s constitution, with critics warning that such conduct by a top military officer signals a dangerous merger of military power and political repression.
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) and human rights advocates have strongly condemned the abduction, incommunicado detention, and reported torture of Mutwe. The ULS described the incident as “emblematic of a broader and deepening campaign to stifle dissent and erode fundamental rights in Uganda,” calling for Mutwe’s immediate release and an impartial international investigation into the growing pattern of enforced disappearances and torture targeting opposition figures. The ULS also urged the international community to apply diplomatic pressure and support accountability mechanisms for Ugandan officials complicit in abuse.
As Bobi Wine called for a solidarity rally in Kampala, opposition leaders and civil society groups have intensified their demands for Mutwe’s release and for all political prisoners to be produced in court if lawfully held. The government, meanwhile, has yet to provide a credible explanation for the detention, further fueling concerns about the rule of law and human rights ahead of the 2026 elections