\n<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Gen Kainerugabai’s remarks have sparked public anger with Ugandans using the hashtag #FreeEddieMutwe to demand Mr Sebuufu’s release and condemn his detention.<\/p>\n
Gen Kainerugaba frequently makes political comments, which his critics say contravenes the military’s code of discipline.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Gen Kainerugaba has made many controversial statements on social media, touching on subjects considered taboo for a serving soldier.<\/p>\n
In 2022, he made headlines for discussing an invasion of neighbouring Kenya, a comment that forced his father to step in and apologise.<\/p>\n
He recently sparked anger with a tweet in which he threatened to behead opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
He said Mr Sebuufu was “looking very smart these days” after his beard was shaved by “my boy”, referring to his junior soldiers.<\/p>\n
The general said he would only release the bodyguard if ordered to do so by his father, President Museveni.<\/p>\n
Gen Kainerugaba did not explicitly state where Mr Sebuufu was being held, or on what legal charges.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Opposition officials and social media users in Uganda have demanded the bodyguard be produced in court if he is in lawful custody.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n