By Spy Uganda
Mounting concerns over human rights abuses and due process violations have been reignited after Edward Sebuufu, commonly known as Eddy Mutwe and a civilian bodyguard to opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (aka Bobi Wine), appeared in court today in a frail and visibly tortured condition.
Sebuufu, who has been missing since his reported abduction by security forces in Mukono on April 27, was charged at Masaka High Court on Monday, May 5, with two counts of robbery and aggravated robbery—allegations his legal team says are politically motivated and part of a broader campaign of repression against dissenters.
Dragged into court by two aides, Sebuufu could barely walk, a stark reflection of the abuse his lawyers say he endured during days in undisclosed military detention. Media access was denied during the court session, prompting further concerns about transparency and judicial independence.
Magellan Kazibwe, Sebuufu’s lawyer, described the proceedings as a mockery of justice. “He has been tortured daily,” Kazibwe told reporters outside court. “He was electrocuted, beaten with electric wires, and subjected to severe physical abuse, including targeting of sensitive parts of his body. He has received no medical attention, no communication with family, and remains in critical condition.”
The charges, said to stem from an alleged incident in Manja village, Lwengo district, mirror those already leveled against other NUP-affiliated civilians. Kazibwe questioned the credibility of the charges, suggesting they are being recycled to silence key figures close to the NUP leadership.
The situation has drawn fresh criticism of Uganda’s security forces and the use of military detention for civilians, a practice condemned by human rights organizations globally. The public exposure of Sebuufu’s condition—preceded by a social media post by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces, boasting of holding him in his “basement”—has amplified calls for accountability.
Legal experts warn that such actions erode the rule of law and risk normalizing torture as a tool of political control. “This is not just about one man,” a local rights advocate noted. “It’s about whether citizens can expect fair treatment under the law, regardless of their political affiliation.”
Sebuufu remains on remand as his legal team prepares to challenge both the charges and the circumstances of his detention.
