The confirmation of the detention of Eddie Mutwe, bodyguard to opposition figure Bobi Wine, by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has triggered outrage and protests in Uganda. With criticisms surrounding the military’s role, calls for his release grow louder as concerns over political suppression rise ahead of the 2026 elections.
Outcry in Uganda as President's Son Confirms Detention of Opposition Bodyguard
Outcry in Uganda as President's Son Confirms Detention of Opposition Bodyguard
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda's military chief and the president's son, admits to holding the bodyguard of opposition leader Bobi Wine, sparking nationwide protests.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Uganda's president Yoweri Museveni, has recently confirmed the detention of Eddie Mutwe, a bodyguard for prominent opposition leader Bobi Wine. Mutwe, also known as Edward Sebuufu, has been missing since Sunday, allegedly taken by unidentified individuals in both civilian and military attire from Kiwango, leading to widespread public anger.
In a series of controversial posts on X, Gen Kainerugaba, who also serves as the military chief, stated that Mutwe was "in my basement," sharing a photo of the bodyguard with a clean-shaven head. Social media erupted with the hashtag #FreeEddieMutwe, reflecting the demand for his release and outrage at his detention. Critics highlight Gen Kainerugaba's pattern of making politically charged statements that seemingly breach the military's code of conduct.
As a potential successor to his father, who has been in power since 1986, Gen Kainerugaba's tweets have often stirred controversy. He made headlines in 2022 for discussing a hypothetical invasion of Kenya, prompting his father's intervention to apologize for the remarks. Recently, he threatened to behead Bobi Wine with another provocative tweet.
Bobi Wine has accused security forces of violently abducting Mutwe from Kiwango on Sunday, claiming armed men transported him away in a police vehicle. In his posts, Gen Kainerugaba claimed his troops captured Mutwe "like a grasshopper" and boasted of teaching him Runyankore while in custody, stating he would only release him under his father's orders.
The mystery surrounding Mutwe's legal status persists, as police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke stated he had no knowledge of Mutwe’s detention at any police facility. Opposition figures and social media activists call for his court appearance if he is legally held.
In response to this incident, Bobi Wine has organized a "solidarity" rally aimed at reinforcing unity among Ugandans against perceived political oppression. Gunshots and arrests of opposition figures are reportedly on the rise as political tensions mount ahead of the 2026 presidential elections. Concerns have heightened following remarks from the Uganda Law Society condemning the systematic targeting of political dissenters and the entanglement of military presence in political affairs.
