Edward Ssebufu, popularly known as Eddie Mutwe and the chief bodyguard to opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine), was reportedly abducted on Sunday evening in Mukono District under alarming circumstances.
Eyewitnesses in Kiwango Village described a chaotic scene in which armed men, dressed in military-style uniforms, seized Mutwe and forced him into an unmarked van commonly referred to as a “drone.” The incident unfolded without warning, leaving residents in shock and prompting immediate outcry from the opposition.
The National Unity Platform (NUP) leadership swiftly condemned the act, describing it as part of a growing pattern of targeted harassment against opposition figures. Speaking early Monday morning, Bobi Wine called the abduction “a blatant act of intimidation” and warned that such incidents undermine the fundamental rights of Ugandans ahead of the 2026 general elections.
“Our colleagues are being hunted down simply because they speak the truth and stand for justice. This must stop,” Bobi Wine stated.
The Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, also voiced concern, urging for Mutwe’s immediate release and demanding accountability from state agencies. “We cannot pretend to have a functioning democracy when people disappear in broad daylight,” he said during a press briefing.
As of this morning, Mutwe’s whereabouts remain unknown. Security agencies have not issued any official statement addressing the incident, adding to the anxiety within the opposition and among human rights observers.
The abduction comes at a tense time in Uganda’s political calendar. On Monday, police forces blocked a planned event at the NUP headquarters meant to launch the “Youth Protest Vote” campaign. Authorities cited public order concerns, but opposition leaders criticized the move as another deliberate attempt to stifle political organizing.
Civil society organizations and political analysts have raised alarm over the growing crackdown, warning that the intimidation of opposition figures threatens to plunge the country into deeper political instability.
Meanwhile, supporters and family members of Eddie Mutwe have demanded answers and vowed to continue seeking justice until he is safely returned.
The National Unity Platform has pledged to press on with its political activities despite the escalating threats, calling upon both Ugandans and the international community to remain vigilant.
This story is developing.
