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Frank Ssemumbwe (uncle) speaking as the mother to Mutwe, Jane Nantumbwe cries to Gen. Museveni to order his son, Muhoozi release Mutwe (Photo Milton Niinga)
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By Milton Niinga
Kampala,
The parents and clan leaders of Edward Ssebuufu, popularly known as Eddie Mutwe, have demanded the release of their son, insisting he has committed no crime against President Yoweri Museveni’s National Resistance Movement (NRM) government or his son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, prior to his arrest.
Ssebuufu has been serving as the bodyguard of Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, president of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) and former presidential candidate, since the 2021 general elections.
Daudi Ssinabulya, the father to Mutwe addressing journalists over his son's arrest by the miltary at their home. (Photo by Milton Niinga)
In an appeal to the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Ssebuufu’s parents, clan heads, and local leaders urged President Museveni to intervene and ensure either the release of their son or his production in court for trial.
According to Kyagulanyi, Mutwe was “violently abducted” from Kiwango on Sunday, April 27, 2025, by armed men traveling in a police van—popularly known as a “drone”—and taken to an unknown military detention facility, where he is allegedly being tortured.
Stephen Kaweesa, the LC I chairperson for Katooke knelt down on his knees seeking Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba to release Eddie Mutwe. (Photo by Isaac Nuwagaba)
Following news of the arrest, a photo circulated on Gen. Muhoozi’s X handle (formerly Twitter), showing a visibly distressed Mutwe—clean-shaven and shirtless—sparking widespread outrage among NUP supporters and many Ugandans. “When we heard about our son’s disappearance and the police denied detaining him, we became extremely worried. When Gen. Muhoozi later claimed he had him in a military basement, saluting President Museveni’s portrait, we were relieved to know he was still alive,” said Mutwe’s father, Daudi Ssenabulya.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, May 5, 2025, in Katooke Zone, Lugoba Ward, Kawempe Division, Kampala, Ssenabulya appealed to the government to either release his son or take him to court for prosecution.
“Whether he’s dead or alive, we need him. If he’s alive, let him be released. If he’s dead, give us his body. I appeal to Gen. Muhoozi to release my child and let him face court if there are any charges against him,” Ssenabulya lamented. 
Juma Ssenabulya, the representative of the leopard ‘ngo’ clan leader (in the middle) asking the government to release Eddie Mutwe. (Photo by Milton Niinga)
“Dear Muhoozi, tell us what we should do for you to release our child. If he has committed any crime, take him to court,” he insisted.
In a series of posts on X, Gen. Muhoozi claimed his soldiers had captured Ssebuufu like a “grasshopper” and that he was learning Runyankore—the language spoken in western Uganda—while in custody. These remarks were widely condemned as an insult to the Baganda community.
Mutwe’s mother, Jane Nantumbwe, pleaded with President Museveni to order his son to release Mutwe, who she said is the family’s main provider.
“Please, President Museveni, release my son. His children are suffering. They need food, medical care, and school fees for the next term. I’m too weak to support my grandchildren,” Nantumbwe said tearfully.
Lucy Nabukko, Mutwe’s daughter, also appealed to the government to release their “loving father.”
“As the eldest child, I’ve been telling my siblings to keep waiting for Dad by buying them a bottle of Oner Juice. They’ve waited so long, and I can’t keep making empty promises,” she said.
Mutwe, a father of five, was previously detained at Kitalya Government Prison and is now believed to be held at a military detention facility in Makindye Division, Kampala.
Juma Ssenabulya, a representative of the Ngo (leopard) clan, condemned arbitrary detention, torture, and the abuse of power, citing Uganda’s own history.
“Supporting Kyagulanyi is not a crime. Parading a tortured prisoner without clothes, his beard shaved off, and visible bruises on his body is reminiscent of the atrocities that President Museveni once accused past leaders like Idi Amin and Milton Obote of committing,” he said.
Demanding Mutwe’s immediate release, Ssenabulya added:
“We have started praying for our son’s freedom by lighting traditional fires—kukuma ebyooto. We are demanding his release.”
“We are here seeking justice, and President Museveni should rein in his son, who treats us as if we are not human beings simply because of power,” he added.
LC I Chairman Kneels for Gen. Muhoozi to Release Mutwe
In a symbolic gesture of humility, Stephen Kaweesa, LC I Chairperson of Katooke, knelt and pleaded with Gen. Muhoozi to release Mutwe, whom he described as a disciplined and law-abiding citizen.
“I kneel before you and ask for forgiveness on Mutwe’s behalf. Please release him unconditionally. He has never harmed or stolen from anyone in our village. His only ‘crime’ is supporting Kyagulanyi,” Kaweesa said.
The mother to Mutwe, Jane Nantumbwe pleaded to Gen. Museveni to order his son, Muhoozi to release Mutwe. (Photo by Milton Niinga)
In his latest post on X, Gen. Muhoozi stated that he would only release Mutwe if ordered to do so by his father, President Museveni.
Buganda Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Charles Peter Mayiga, has also weighed in, urging Gen. Muhoozi to hand over Mutwe to the police to enable lawful prosecution instead of holding him incommunicado.
Speaking at the official opening of the Buganda Lukiiko at Mengo, Mayiga emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and warned against politically motivated arrests.
“We should not allow our country to descend into tribal chaos, which could spark ethnic tensions,” he said. “Ugandans should remain vigilant and united.”
Mayiga also cautioned security agencies against engaging in extrajudicial practices such as abductions and the politicization of law enforcement, which he said pose a threat to national unity.
The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) issued a release order for Mutwe on Friday, May 2, 2025, directing Gen. Muhoozi to release him immediately. As of now, the order remains unfulfilled.
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