By KT Reporter
A section of National Unity Platform (NUP) youths in Jinja City have protested the continued detention of Eddie Ssebuwufu, alias Eddie Mutwe. Eddie Mutwe, a renowned civilian bodyguard of NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, was arrested by security operatives in Mukono.
Although the police and Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) initially denied knowledge about Eddie Mutwe’s whereabouts, the Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, confirmed his detention through his X (formerly Twitter) account.
Muhoozi further shared a photo of Eddie Mutwe, whose head and beard had been completely shaved. He also noted that Eddie Mutwe was being detained in his basement and that his boys were “working on him.”
His revelation sparked outrage from social media users, who condemned the act as brutality against civilians. Kyagulanyi also noted that Eddie Mutwe’s detention was part of a widespread spate of abductions targeting NUP supporters across the country.
The Uganda Human Rights Commission reacted by issuing an order directing Muhoozi to release Eddie Mutwe unconditionally, but he has not yielded to the call. Similarly, the NUP leadership made a habeas corpus application to the High Court, which is still awaiting hearing.
Now, NUP youths in Jinja City say that while other actors opt for diplomatic means, they have taken it upon themselves to hold a peaceful protest demanding Eddie Mutwe’s release. Led by Suleiman Namwoza, the youths held placards with inscriptions demanding the release of Eddie Mutwe and all political prisoners.
The youths marched through the streets along Kirinya Road and Obote Way before calling it off after noticing UPDF personnel patrolling the area. Namwoza said it is the duty of all right-thinking individuals to stand up against any forms of human rights violations.
Namwoza, who led approximately 100 youths, said every voice counts in the fight against human rights violations and he believes their peaceful march created awareness among the general public to openly demand the unconditional freedom of all political prisoners.
Najim Nantale, another NUP member, said that their fellow party mobilizer, Shakur Ssentongo, was abducted a month ago, and they have yet to ascertain his whereabouts. Nantale emphasized that any civilized state should be responsible for the safety of its citizens by presenting suspected criminals in courts of law rather than keeping them incommunicado, away from their relatives.
Meanwhile, the Kiira Regional Police spokesperson, James Mubi, denied knowledge about the NUP protest, insisting that they had not cleared any such activities in Jinja City today-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
