The Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has publicly confirmed the detention of Eddie Mutwe, the chief bodyguard to National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, through a series of provocative posts on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
In an unfiltered statement posted Thursday morning, Gen. Muhoozi wrote, “He is in my basement,” referring to Mutwe, whose whereabouts had been unknown since he was reportedly seized by armed men in Mbalwa, Mukono District earlier this week.
“If you see Eddie’s head now he looks like an egg. Totally clean,” the post continued, referencing what appears to be the forced shaving of Mutwe’s head during detention. Muhoozi further taunted in another post, “The beards were the first thing the boys removed. After he finished crying and urinating.”
The comments have sparked outrage and renewed fears over the state of rule of law and political repression in Uganda. Bobi Wine, responding to the posts, wrote simply: “Time will tell.”
No official charges have been filed, and neither the Uganda Police Force nor the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have issued formal confirmation or explanation for Mutwe’s detention. Despite Muhoozi’s rank, his social media remarks remain the only indication of Mutwe’s current status.
The National Unity Platform has condemned what it calls the “abduction” of their member. NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya stated, “If the state has him, let them produce him in court. Anything less is an abuse of power and justice.”
This latest incident comes amid growing tensions between the government and opposition figures, with NUP members frequently targeted for arrest, intimidation, and in some cases, enforced disappearance.
Eddie Mutwe has been a visible and consistent figure within Bobi Wine’s personal security team, particularly during politically charged events and protests. He has been arrested multiple times in the past but has continued to serve as a key member of the People Power movement.
Human rights groups are expected to issue statements in the coming days as concern grows over arbitrary detentions and the erosion of legal safeguards in Uganda’s political landscape.
