Latest news with #Sebuufu
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ugandan opposition denounces brutal crackdown ahead of 2026 elections
With less than a year until Uganda's presidential election, the political climate is increasingly tense. The main opposition party NUP has condemned the brutal crackdown on activists, saying 2,000 kidnappings have taken place since the last elections in 2021. But the government accuses the opposition of staging the abductions for political gain. Uganda is set to hold a general election in January, with President Yoweri Museveni looking to extend his 40-year rule. The last election in 2021 was marred by widespread reports of irregularities and severe violence from the security forces, which Museveni blamed on "indiscipline" and "laziness". The US-based Holocaust Memorial Museum recently warned of possible "mass atrocities" around the 2026 election. Last Friday, Bobi Wine, leader of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) said the army had raided his party's headquarters in the capital Kampala. The opposition was planning to use the HQ to launch a campaign to urge Ugandans to vote against the government in the general election and demonstrate to protect their democratic rights. Wine said his bodgyguard Edward Sebuufu (also referred to as Mutwe) had been "violently abducted" by armed men wearing uniforms associated with the Special Forces Command, an elite unit of Uganda's army. The NUP's secretary-general David Lewis Rubongoya told RFI that the police at first denied any responsibility for Sebuufu's abduction. However, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda's military chief and the son of the President confirmed later on Friday that Sebuufu was indeed in his custody. Read more on RFI EnglishRead also:Uganda plans law to bring back military trials for civiliansKenya investigates alleged kidnapping of Ugandan opposition leader BesigyeUganda's Museveni sworn in for 6th time amidst opposition 'sham' claims
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ugandan opposition bodyguard charged after torture, lawyer says
A bodyguard for one of Uganda's opposition leaders, Bobi Wine, has been charged with aggravated robbery, days after the head of the military said he had detained him. Last week Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also President Yoweri Museveni's son, confirmed that he had been holding Eddie Mutwe five days after his disappearance. The lawyer representing the bodyguard, whose real name is Edward Sebuufu, said his client had been tortured, telling the country's Daily Monitor newspaper that he was beaten using "wires of electricity". Magellan Kazibwe added that Mr Sebuufu was in "great pain" and had also faced the squeezing of his "private parts". Mr Kazibwe told reporters that Mr Sebuufu had faced electrocution and that his team were planning to take him to hospital. Rights groups have long accused the authorities of targeting the opposition especially during the run up to elections. As Mr Sebuufu was brought to court on Monday, security operatives tried to shield him to prevent the media from seeing him. But videos showed Bobi Wine's bodyguard barefoot, and hardly able to walk. Last week, Gen Kainerugabai posted on social media that Mr Sebuufu was in his custody. The army chief said the bodyguard had been shaved and that he planned to castrate him. The detention comes as Uganda gears up for elections in 2026 where Museveni, who has been in power for nearly four decades, is expected to run against Bobi Wine. Several human rights activists have condemned Mr Sebuufuu's detention, meanwhile Uganda's Human Rights Commission called for his immediate release. Civil society organisations have also warned that his detention is part of a systematic campaign to silence dissent and crush opposition ahead of the general election. However, the government blames the opposition for civilian and police clashes, saying they hold rallies without permission. Lawyer Mr Kazibwe added that aside from aggravated robbery, Mr Sebuufuu was also charged with simple robbery over an alleged incident in Lwengo District. Bobi Wine: Uganda's 'ghetto president' How an ex-rebel has stayed in power for 35 years Ugandan internet propaganda network exposed by the BBC Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
BBC News
05-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Eddie Mutwe: Ugandan bodyguard charged after days of torture, lawyer says
A bodyguard for one of Uganda's opposition leaders, Bobi Wine, has been charged with aggravated robbery, days after the head of the military said he had detained him. Last week Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also President Yoweri Museveni's son, confirmed that he had been holding Eddie Mutwe five days after his disappearance. The lawyer representing the bodyguard, whose real name is Edward Sebuufu, said his client had been tortured, telling the country's Daily Monitor newspaper that he was beaten using "wires of electricity".Magellan Kazibwe added that Mr Sebuufu was in "great pain" and had also faced the squeezing of his "private parts". Mr Kazibwe told reporters that Mr Sebuufu had faced electrocution and that his team were planning to take him to groups have long accused the authorities of targeting the opposition especially during the run up to Mr Sebuufu was brought to court on Monday, security operatives tried to shield him to prevent the media from seeing him. But videos showed Bobi Wine's bodyguard barefoot, and hardly able to week, Gen Kainerugabai posted on social media that Mr Sebuufu was in his custody. The army chief said the bodyguard had been shaved and that he planned to castrate him. The detention comes as Uganda gears up for elections in 2026 where Museveni, who has been in power for nearly four decades, is expected to run against Bobi Wine. Several human rights activists have condemned Mr Sebuufuu's detention, meanwhile Uganda's Human Rights Commission called for his immediate society organisations have also warned that his detention is part of a systematic campaign to silence dissent and crush opposition ahead of the general the government blames the opposition for civilian and police clashes, saying they hold rallies without permission. Lawyer Mr Kazibwe added that aside from aggravated robbery, Mr Sebuufuu was also charged with simple robbery over an alleged incident in Lwengo District. You may also be interested in: Bobi Wine: Uganda's 'ghetto president'How an ex-rebel has stayed in power for 35 yearsUgandan internet propaganda network exposed by the BBC Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Saudi Gazette
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Anger as Uganda president's son says he's holding opposition leader's bodyguard
NAIROBI — General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Uganda's president, has confirmed the detention of an opposition leader's bodyguard, who has been missing for five days. Edward Sebuufu, alias Eddie Mutwe, was reportedly picked up on Sunday by unidentified individuals in both civilian clothes and military fatigues in the central town of Kiwango, sparking public outrage. In a series of posts on X, Gen Kainerugabai, who is also Uganda's military chief, said Sebuufu was "in my basement", attaching the bodyguard's photo with a clean-shaven head. Gen Kainerugabai's remarks have sparked public anger with Ugandans using the hashtag #FreeEddieMutwe to demand Sebuufu's release and condemn his detention. Gen Kainerugaba frequently makes political comments, which his critics say contravenes the military's code of discipline. The 51-year-old army general is seen as a possible successor to his long-serving father, Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986, who has denied that he is grooming his son for the presidency. Gen Kainerugaba has made many controversial statements on social media, touching on subjects considered taboo for a serving soldier. In 2022, he made headlines for discussing an invasion of neighboring Kenya, a comment that forced his father to step in and apologize. He recently sparked anger with a tweet in which he threatened to behead opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine. Late on Thursday, he sparked another social media storm after he published a photo of Sebuufu, Bobi Wine's bodyguard, appearing half-naked and clean-shaved. Bobi Wine said Sebuufu was on Sunday "violently abducted" from Kiwango by armed men traveling in a police van, popularly known as "drone", before he was whisked to an unknown place. In a series of posts, Gen Kainerugaba said his soldiers had captured Sebuufu "like a grasshopper" and he was learning Runyankore, a language spoken in western Uganda, while in custody. He said Sebuufu was "looking very smart these days" after his beard was shaved by "my boy", referring to his junior soldiers. The general said he would only release the bodyguard if ordered to do so by his father, President Museveni. Gen Kainerugaba did not explicitly state where Sebuufu was being held, or on what legal charges. Security forces are yet to comment on the matter but police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke on Monday told local media that he was not aware of Sebuufu being held in any police station. Opposition officials and social media users in Uganda have demanded the bodyguard be produced in court if he is in lawful custody. Bobi Wine has called for a "solidarity" rally on Friday in the capital Kampala, accusing Gen Kainerugaba for "illegally holding, torturing, and dehumanizing" his bodyguard. "This is a non-partisan opportunity to unite. Friends of Eddie and other Ugandans of good conscience, let us come together in solidarity not just with Eddie but all political prisoners!," Bobi Wine posted on X. In a statement, the Uganda Law Society has called for the immediate release of the bodyguard, saying his ordeal was not an isolated case but "part of a systematic campaign to silence dissent and crush the aspirations of people yearning for freedom". The society feared that the reported involvement of the army in the matter "underscores a dangerous nexus of military power and political oppression". Sebuufu, who is in charge of Bobi Wine's personal security detail, has been arrested several times and charged with various offenses, including treason and illegal possession of ammunition. The opposition says his arrests and charges are politically motivated. He has been a key target in several security crackdowns on opposition activities, especially during elections and mobilization campaigns, local media reported. Bobi Wine, a popular singer who has declared his intention to challenge President Museveni for the second time in the 2026 elections, has often been prevented from holding political rallies. There are growing concerns about the targeting of opposition figures and supporters by security agencies as political mobilization intensifies ahead of the elections. The government has blamed the opposition for the regular clashes between civilians and the security forces, saying they hold rallies without permission. — BBC
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Anger as Uganda president's son says he's holding opposition bodyguard
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Uganda's president, has confirmed the detention of an opposition leader's bodyguard, who has been missing for five days. Edward Sebuufu, alias Eddie Mutwe, was reportedly picked up on Sunday by unidentified individuals in both civilian clothes and military fatigues in the central town of Kiwango, sparking public outrage. In a series of posts on X, Gen Kainerugabai, who is also Uganda's military chief, said Mr Sebuufu was "in my basement", attaching the bodyguard's photo with a clean-shaven head. Gen Kainerugabai's remarks have sparked public anger with Ugandans using the hashtag #FreeEddieMutwe to demand Mr Sebuufu's release and condemn his detention. Gen Kainerugaba frequently makes political comments, which his critics say contravenes the military's code of discipline. The 51-year-old army general is seen as a possible successor to his long-serving father, Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986, who has denied that he is grooming his son for the presidency. Muhoozi Kainerugaba - Uganda's ambitious tweeting general Gen Kainerugaba has made many controversial statements on social media, touching on subjects considered taboo for a serving soldier. In 2022, he made headlines for discussing an invasion of neighbouring Kenya, a comment that forced his father to step in and apologise. He recently sparked anger with a tweet in which he threatened to behead opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine. Late on Thursday, he sparked another social media storm after he published a photo of Mr Sebuufu, Bobi Wine's bodyguard, appearing half-naked and clean shaved. Bobi Wine said Mr Sebuufu was on Sunday "violently abducted" from Kiwango by armed men travelling in a police van, popularly known as "drone", before he was whisked to an unknown place. In a series of posts, Gen Kainerugaba said his soldiers had captured Mr Sebuufu "liked a grasshopper" and he was learning Runyankore, a language spoken in western Uganda, while in custody. He said Mr Sebuufu was "looking very smart these days" after his beard was shaved by "my boy", referring to his junior soldiers. The general said he would only release the bodyguard if ordered to do so by his father, President Museveni. Gen Kainerugaba did not explicitly state where Mr Sebuufu was being held, or on what legal charges. Security forces are yet to comment on the matter but police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke on Monday told local media that he was not aware of Mr Sebuufu being held in any police station. Opposition officials and social media users in Uganda have demanded the bodyguard be produced in court if he is in lawful custody. Bobi Wine has called for a "solidarity" rally on Friday in the capital Kampala, accusing Gen Kainerugaba for "illegally holding, torturing, and dehumanizing" his bodyguard. "This is a non-partisan opportunity to unite. Friends of Eddie and other Ugandans of good conscience, let us come together in solidarity not just with Eddie but all political prisoners!," Bobi Wine posted on X. In a statement, the Uganda Law Society has called for the immediate release of the bodyguard, saying his ordeal was not an isolated case but "part of a systematic campaign to silence dissent and crush the aspirations of people yearning for freedom". The society feared that the reported involvement of the army in the matter "underscores a dangerous nexus of military power and political oppression". Mr Sebuufu, who is in charge of Bobi Wine's personal security detail, has been arrested several times and charged with various offences, including treason and illegal possession of ammunition. The opposition says his arrests and charges are politically motivated. He has been a key target in several security crackdowns on opposition activities, especially during elections and mobilisation campaigns, local media reported. Bobi Wine, a popular singer who has declared his intention to challenge President Museveni for the second time in the 2026 elections, has often been prevented from holding political rallies. There are growing concerns about the targeting of opposition figures and supporters by security agencies as political mobilisation intensifies ahead of the elections. How a Ugandan opposition leader disappeared in Kenya and ended up in military court Social media ban in Uganda raises questions over regulation in Africa TikToker jailed for 32 months for insulting Uganda's president Top designer vows to regrow dreadlocks cut after Uganda arrest Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
