Public anger is mounting in Uganda following the confirmed detention of Edward Sebuufu, also known as Eddie Mutwe, the bodyguard of opposition leader Bobi Wine. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, President Yoweri Museveni’s son and Uganda’s military chief, announced on X (formerly Twitter) that Mr. Sebuufu was being held, even posting a photo of him with a shaved head.
Eddie Mutwe reportedly disappeared five days prior, allegedly abducted on Sunday in Kiwango by unidentified individuals in civilian and military clothing. This sparked immediate concern for his safety. General Kainerugaba’s social media posts not only confirmed the detention but also included threats of violence against Mr. Sebuufu.
The general’s actions have ignited widespread condemnation, with Ugandans using the hashtag #FreeEddieMutwe to demand the bodyguard’s release and protest his unlawful detention. Critics point out that General Kainerugaba’s frequent political commentary on social media violates military regulations.
Bobi Wine stated that Mr. Sebuufu was “violently abducted” by armed men in a “drone,” a type of police van, and taken to an unknown location. General Kainerugaba boasted online about his soldiers capturing Mr. Sebuufu and made demeaning remarks about his appearance. He further stated that he would only release Mr. Sebuufu if his father, President Museveni, ordered him to do so. The location and legal basis for Mr. Sebuufu’s detention remain unclear, with police initially denying any knowledge of his whereabouts.
Opposition figures and the Uganda Law Society are demanding that Mr. Sebuufu be presented in court if he is being lawfully held. Following General Kainerugaba’s posts, Bobi Wine reported that the headquarters of his National Unity Platform (NUP) party was raided and cordoned off. He had called for a solidarity rally in Kampala to protest the “illegal detention, torture, and dehumanization” of his bodyguard and other political prisoners.
The Uganda Law Society condemned Mr. Sebuufu’s ordeal as part of a “systematic campaign to silence dissent” and expressed concern over the “dangerous nexus of military power and political oppression.” Mr. Sebuufu, who is responsible for Bobi Wine’s personal security, has been arrested multiple times previously on charges the opposition claims are politically motivated.
As political mobilization intensifies ahead of the 2026 elections, there are increasing concerns about the targeting of opposition members and supporters. Bobi Wine, who intends to challenge President Museveni in the upcoming elections, has frequently faced restrictions on holding political rallies. The government, however, blames the opposition for clashes with security forces, accusing them of holding unauthorized rallies.
