Normal Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Uganda’s president, has confirmed the detention of an opposition chief’s bodyguard, who has been lacking for 5 days.
Edward Sebuufu, alias Eddie Mutwe, was reportedly picked up on Sunday by unidentified people in each civilian garments and navy fatigues within the central city of Kiwango, sparking public outrage.
In a collection of posts on X, Gen Kainerugabai, who can be Uganda’s navy chief, stated Mr Sebuufu was “in my basement”, attaching the bodyguard’s photograph with a clean-shaven head.
Gen Kainerugabai’s remarks have sparked public anger with Ugandans utilizing the hashtag #FreeEddieMutwe to demand Mr Sebuufu’s launch and condemn his detention.
Gen Kainerugaba ceaselessly makes political feedback, which his critics say contravenes the navy’s code of self-discipline.
The 51-year-old military normal is seen as a doable successor to his long-serving father, Yoweri Museveni, in energy since 1986, who has denied that he’s grooming his son for the presidency.
Gen Kainerugaba has made many controversial statements on social media, pertaining to topics thought-about taboo for a serving soldier.
In 2022, he made headlines for discussing an invasion of neighbouring Kenya, a remark that pressured his father to step in and apologise.
He lately sparked anger with a tweet by which he threatened to behead opposition chief Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly often called Bobi Wine.
Late on Thursday, he sparked one other social media storm after he revealed a photograph of Mr Sebuufu, Bobi Wine’s bodyguard, showing half-naked and clear shaved.
Bobi Wine stated Mr Sebuufu was on Sunday “violently kidnapped” from Kiwango by armed males travelling in a police van, popularly often called “drone”, earlier than he was whisked to an unknown place.
In a collection of posts, Gen Kainerugaba stated his troopers had captured Mr Sebuufu “appreciated a grasshopper” and he was studying Runyankore, a language spoken in western Uganda, whereas in custody.
He stated Mr Sebuufu was “wanting very sensible lately” after his beard was shaved by “my boy”, referring to his junior troopers.
The overall stated he would solely launch the bodyguard if ordered to take action by his father, President Museveni.
Gen Kainerugaba didn’t explicitly state the place Mr Sebuufu was being held, or on what authorized expenses.
Safety forces are but to touch upon the matter however police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke on Monday informed native media that he was not conscious of Mr Sebuufu being held in any police station.
Opposition officers and social media customers in Uganda have demanded the bodyguard be produced in court docket if he’s in lawful custody.
Bobi Wine has referred to as for a “solidarity” rally on Friday within the capital Kampala, accusing Gen Kainerugaba for “illegally holding, torturing, and dehumanizing” his bodyguard.
“This can be a non-partisan alternative to unite. Pals of Eddie and different Ugandans of fine conscience, allow us to come collectively in solidarity not simply with Eddie however all political prisoners!,” Bobi Wine posted on X.
In a statement, the Uganda Legislation Society has referred to as for the rapid launch of the bodyguard, saying his ordeal was not an remoted case however “a part of a scientific marketing campaign to silence dissent and crush the aspirations of individuals craving for freedom”.
The society feared that the reported involvement of the military within the matter “underscores a harmful nexus of navy energy and political oppression”.
Mr Sebuufu, who’s in command of Bobi Wine’s private safety element, has been arrested a number of occasions and charged with varied offences, together with treason and unlawful possession of ammunition. The opposition says his arrests and expenses are politically motivated.
He has been a key goal in a number of safety crackdowns on opposition actions, particularly throughout elections and mobilisation campaigns, native media reported.
Bobi Wine, a well-liked singer who has declared his intention to problem President Museveni for the second time within the 2026 elections, has typically been prevented from holding political rallies.
There are rising issues concerning the focusing on of opposition figures and supporters by safety companies as political mobilisation intensifies forward of the elections.
