Eddie Mutwe Dumped at Masaka Court Amid Tight Security

Edward Ssebufu, alias Eddie Mutwe—the head of security for NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi—was on Monday produced at Masaka High Court under heavy security, a week after his alleged abduction by state operatives.

Limping, barefoot, and visibly in pain, his condition triggered outrage from opposition leaders and renewed accusations of torture by security forces.

Mutwe was delivered in a grey salon car, shielded by plainclothes operatives who forcefully blocked journalists and expelled uniformed police officers from the court premises. Witnesses say operatives formed a human wall to prevent any photos or footage as Mutwe was escorted into the courtroom.

Eyewitnesses described a visibly battered Mutwe, barefoot and limping, as he was helped out of the vehicle and hurried into the court by two operatives.

“The man stepped out of the car, barefoot and unable to walk on his own. He was taken into the court premises to probably hear his charges read before being remanded,” a journalist at the scene said.

Shortly after, opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, confirmed on social media that Mutwe had been remanded to Masaka Main Prison and accused state operatives of torturing him.

“Our brother Eddie Mutwe has been dumped in Masaka, and remanded to Masaka Main Prison, badly tortured and in great pain. Journalists were blocked from covering him,” Kyagulanyi posted.

Mutwe’s court appearance comes a week after he and fellow NUP member Kassim Ssebudde, popularly known as Kunta Kinte, were reportedly abducted by security operatives on April 28 in Mukono District.

Their whereabouts remained unknown until Monday's dramatic court presentation.

The incident has drawn even sharper criticism due to the involvement—and apparent mockery—by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces and son of President Museveni.

Days after the disappearance, Gen. Muhoozi took to X (formerly Twitter) to post a photo of a semi-naked, bearded man drenched in sweat, claiming it was Kyagulanyi’s bodyguard.

The general said the man was being held in his “basement,” taught Runyankore, and forced to salute a portrait of President Museveni.

The post, widely condemned as inflammatory and in poor taste, appeared to mock the ordeal and raised fresh concerns about Muhoozi’s growing political posturing and the abuse of military power.

Human rights groups and legal observers have pointed to a disturbing trend of enforced disappearances, illegal detentions, and torture of opposition supporters.

NUP has consistently accused the state of deploying security agencies to terrorize its members through abductions and extrajudicial practices.

Legal analysts say Mutwe’s case underscores the blurring lines between state security and personal vendettas, particularly when top-ranking officials openly mock detainees and sidestep legal procedures.

The developments come amid broader scrutiny of Uganda’s shrinking civic space, especially as the 2026 general election nears.

On Monday, Buganda Kingdom called for Mutwe to be taken to court to answer for any crimes he is being charged with instead of being held incommunicado.

As Eddie Mutwe begins his remand in Masaka Main Prison, questions continue to swirl around the legality of his arrest, the conditions of his detention, and the broader implications of military interference in civilian political matters.

The Masaka court saga has once again placed Uganda’s security apparatus and political leadership under an international spotlight—with critics warning that unless accountability is enforced, such episodes will only escalate in frequency and severity.

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Eyewitnesses described a visibly battered Mutwe, barefoot and limping, as he was helped out of the vehicle and hurried into the court by two operatives.