KAMPALA, Uganda – Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces and the son of President Yoweri Museveni, has claimed responsibility for the detention of opposition activist Eddie Mutwe, also known as Edward Ssebuufu, stating that he is holding him in his basement and threatening to inflict violence.
Mutwe, who serves as the chief bodyguard to opposition leader Bobi Wine, was abducted on April 27 by armed men near Uganda’s capital, Kampala.
The National Unity Platform (NUP) party, led by Wine, has condemned the abduction and called for his immediate release.
The police have denied having any knowledge of Mutwe’s whereabouts.
However, on Thursday, Kainerugaba posted a series of messages on social media, including a photograph of Mutwe, who appeared shirtless and in custody.
Kainerugaba’s posts included alarming threats, including “I still have to castrate him” and “You are next!” in a response to Wine’s calls for his release.
The Ugandan government, military, and police have yet to comment on the incident.
Kainerugaba, known for his controversial social media activity, has previously made inflammatory statements, including threats of violence against Wine and neighboring Kenya.
His latest comments are seen as part of a broader pattern of attempts to silence political opposition and dissent.
Human rights groups, including the Uganda Law Society, have condemned Mutwe’s abduction as part of a systematic campaign by Museveni’s government to suppress the opposition, especially among younger activists advocating for democratic change.
Wine has also reported that the military raided his party’s headquarters in a further escalation of the crackdown.
This comes as Museveni, in power since 1986, prepares for re-election next year.
His government has long been accused of using violence and illegal detention to stifle political opposition, although the president has denied such allegations.
