Masaka, Uganda: The National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi’s chief bodyguard, Edward Ssebuufu alias Eddie Mutwe, who disappeared nine days ago, has finally resurfaced after he was dropped at Masaka High Court under tight security on Monday.
Eddie Mutwe, a popular Kampala-based barber, was reportedly abducted by security operatives on April 27 in Mukono District. His whereabouts remained unknown until Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), last week publicly admitted he was holding him in his ‘basement’.
Sources at Masaka court where Eddie Mutwe was dropped said he was delivered by unidentified security personnel in civilian clothes and handed over to court officials.
Reports further said journalists were blocked from accessing the court cells or taking photos as Eddie Mutwe, who appeared visibly frail and unable to walk unaided, was supported into the court building.
He is expected to be charged with an offence yet to be disclosed by the state while his legal team from the NUP was seen attempting to gain access to him as tensions rose over the unclear nature of the proceedings.
Last week, President Museveni’s son, Gen Muhoozi, in a controversial social media post, said he was “disciplining” Eddie Mutwe by making him salute President Museveni’s portrait each morning before breakfast—a statement that triggered nationwide condemnation from human rights watchdogs, legal experts and opposition leaders.
The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) had issued a public directive on Friday demanding his immediate release, citing illegal detention and violation of constitutional rights. However, by Monday, that order had not been honored until Eddie Mutwe was suddenly presented at court.
Several rights groups including Chapter Four Uganda, Legal Aid Service Providers Network (LASPNET), and the Uganda Law Society have since demanded accountability from the military over illegal detentions in ungazetted facilities.
By press time, court officials had not released a charge sheet, while the visibly weakened Mutwe remained in custody pending mention of the case.
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