General Muhoozi Kaiinerugaba, the son of Uganda’s president, has confirmed that the bodyguards of opposition leaders have been detained, who have been missing for five days.
Edward Sebuufu, alias Eddie Mutwe, reportedly was dressed in civilian costumes and military fatigue by unidentified people on Sunday, sparking public outrage in the central town of Kiwango.
In a series of posts on X, General Kaierugabai, who is also the military chief of Uganda, said Mr. Saibov was “in my basement” and connected the photo of the bodyguard to the shaved head.
General Kaierugabai's remarks sparked public anger against Ugandans, using the #freeeddimutwe hashtag to demand Mr. Saibfu's release and condemn his detention.
General Kaierugaba often makes political comments, which his critics say violates the military's code of discipline.
The 51-year-old Army general has been seen as the successor to his long-time father, Yoweri Museveni, who denied that he was offering his son a presidency.
General Kaierugaba made many controversial statements on social media, talking about the subjects considered taboo for service soldiers.
In 2022, he became headlines to discuss the invasion of neighboring Kenya, a comment that forced his father to step in and apologize.
Recently, he sparked anger through a tweet, threatening to behead opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, commonly known as Bobi Wine.
Later Thursday, he set off another social media storm after publishing photos of Mr. Sebuufu, Bobi Wine's bodyguard, which looked half-naked and shaved.
Mr. Sebuufu was “severely kidnapped” by armed personnel on Sunday in a police car trip (often referred to as “drone”) and then he was rushed to an unknown place, Bobi Wine said.
General Kaierugaba said in a series of posts that his soldiers captured Mr. Sebuufu “liked Grasshopper” and that he was learning Runyankore, a language in western Uganda, in detention.
He said Mr. Sebuufu “looks smart” after his beard was shaved off by “my boy”, referring to his junior soldier.
The general said that if his father, President Museveni, ordered this, he would only release the bodyguards.
General Kaierugaba did not specify where Mr. Sebuff was held or was against legal charges.
Security forces have not commented on the matter, but police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke told local media on Monday that he was not aware that Mr Sebuufu was detained in any police station.
Opposition officials and Uganda’s social media users demand that he produce a bodyguard if he is in legal custody.
Bobi Wine called for a “unity” rally in the capital Kampala on Friday, accusing General Kaierugaba of “carrying illegally, tortured and inhumane” his bodyguards.
“This is a nonpartisan opportunity to unite. Eddie's friends and other conscience Ugandans, let us unite not only with Eddie, but with all political prisoners!”.
The Uganda Bar Association called for the immediate release of bodyguards in a statement, saying his suffering was not an isolated case but rather “a desire to indulge in a part of a system movement that disagrees with dissent and suppresses people's desire for freedom”.
The society is concerned that the military reported on this issue “emphasize the dangerous link between military forces and political oppression.”
Mr. Sebuufu, who is in charge of Bobi Wine's personal security details, has been arrested several times and has been charged with various crimes, including treason and illegal possession of ammunition. The opposition said his arrests and charges were politically motivated.
He has been a key target of several security crackdowns on opposition activities, especially in elections and mobilization movements, local media reported.
Popular singer Bobi Wine announced his intention to challenge President Museveni for the second time in the 2026 election, often blocking political rallies.
There is a heightened focus on the political mobilization of opposition figures and supporters targeted by security agencies before the election.
The government accused opposition of the conventional conflict between civilians and security forces, saying they held rallies without permission.
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