Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has publicly confirmed the detention of Eddie Mutwe, the chief bodyguard of National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, widely known as Bobi Wine.
In a series of controversial posts on X (formerly Twitter), Gen. Muhoozi claimed Mutwe was being held in his “basement” and shared disturbing remarks suggesting mistreatment during detention. “If you see Eddie’s head now, he looks like an egg. Totally clean,” he wrote, also stating that Mutwe now “salutes Mzee’s picture every day before breakfast.”
These revelations came after NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya announced on Wednesday that Mutwe had been “kidnapped by armed men” in Mbalwa, Mukono District. His whereabouts had been unknown until Muhoozi’s posts.
The remarks have sparked national and international concern over arbitrary detention and possible abuse. Muhoozi, while not specifying where Mutwe is being held or under what legal basis, implied he is in the custody of state-linked security forces.
Despite widespread reactions, there has been no official statement from the Uganda Police Force, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), or any government agency. No formal charges have been brought against Mutwe.
NUP officials have condemned the apparent detention and demanded that Mutwe be produced in court. “This is a clear indication that our colleague is being held. We expect the state to follow the law,” one party representative said.
Bobi Wine responded simply on X: “Time will tell.”
