Combo: Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) chairperson Mariam Wangadya (L) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba (R). PHOTO/ IBRAHIM KAVUMA/FILE
The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) chairperson has dismissed as inconsequential the sharp response by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) to her letter that directed him to release Edward Ssebuufu from detention. Ms Mariam Wangadya said her order to Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba to release Ssebuufu, alias Eddie Mutwe, the chief civilian bodyguard of Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, had already been complied with. “For me, [I am] comforted that I issued the order invoking my authority under the Constitution, and that it was complied with. Any subsequent comments from the CDF are inconsequential,” Ms Wangadya said. On May 2, 2025, Ms Wangadya wrote to the CDF directing that Eddie Mutwe was unlawfully detained or restricted in his custody since April 26, 2025, and directed him to cause his immediate release.
Ms Wangadya at the time, had stated that the CDF’s failure to comply would amount to contempt under Article 53(1)(d) of the 1995 Constitution. Her directive came after Gen Muhoozi shared a photo of a man he referenced as Eddie Mutwe, whose whereabouts had remained unknown for days. Eddie Mutwe looked disoriented, half-naked, with his formerly swanky sideburns and beard shaved off. Gen Muhoozi then made a series of controversial posts on X, on May 1. In one of the posts, Gen Muhoozi claimed Ssebuufu was being held in his basement “learning Runyankore.” He also posted: “Now I’m practising on his [Bobi’s] so-called ‘military commander’. Using him as a punching bag.” The posts drew widespread condemnation.
Mutwe’s condition
Eddie Mutwe, who had been missing for eight straight days, was thereafter dropped off at Masaka Court premises by plain clothes operatives who drove a white Toyota Mark X saloon car. Eddie Mutwe, who could barely walk, was propped and dragged as he limped to court in Masaka City where he was charged before Masaka Chief Magistrate Abdallah Kayiza, with six counts of robbery and malicious damage to property, and remanded to Masaka Main Prison.
Eddie Mutwe told his lawyers that he was beaten, subjected to electric shocks and stripped during his detention. But Gen Muhoozi yesterday posted on his X handle a copy of the letter that Ms Wangadya had sent him, describing it as stupid and demanded an apology from the sender. “LOL! If these people value the lives we gave them they MUST NEVER even think of sending me such a STUPID letter again! This is their last warning! I expect an apology,” Gen Muhoozi’s X account read.
Previous run-ins
Gen Muhoozi, using his social media account, has been known for his face-offs with government institutions, ministers, leaders, and even those of other countries. Despite his father, President Museveni, warning him not to comment about foreign affairs issues and attack leaders on social media, Gen Muhoozi has hardly paid any heed to such counsel. At one point, Gen Muhoozi responded on his social media platform that he is an adult and no one can tell him what to do. He had also previously attacked the Parliament, courts of judicature, ministers and senior security personnel on his social media accounts over decisions he disagreed with. In February this year, Gen Muhoozi threatened the Supreme Court and demanded an apology after its January 31 landmark ruling, which banned the military courts from trying civilians. “I want a written apology from the Supreme Court, for the judgment they made against UPDF and Uganda. If I don’t get that apology quickly other things will follow,” Gen Muhoozi posted.
Parliamentary Commissioner Mathias Mpuuga (right) receives the 27th Annual Human Rights and Freedom in Uganda report from Uganda Human Rights Commission’s chairperson,Ms Mariam Wangadya, at Parliament on May 15, 2025. PHOTO/IBRAHIM KAVUMA
He vowed not to respect the Supreme Court judgment. He has also previously threatened to attack Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Republic of Sudan, Guinea (Conakry) and Ethiopia. In October 2022, Gen Muhoozi’s threats to militarily attack Kenya and capture its capital Nairobi, prompted President Museveni to apologise to the Kenyan government. He also removed Gen Muhoozi as the Commander of Land Forces. Nevertheless, President Museveni, as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, promoted him to the rank of General in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces. Several other diplomats have protested Gen Muhoozi’s comments about their countries. Uganda was forced to send a delegation led by the Foreign Affairs minister to Ethiopia to clarify and prune the sharpness of Gen Muhoozi’s comments supporting the Tigray rebels who were fighting the central government of Ethiopia.
UHRC boss recognised
Yesterday, Ms Wangadya was recognised by the European Union (EU) head of delegation, Ambassador Jan Sadek, who awarded her a special certificate of appreciation “as a special recognition for her voice, service and dedication in upholding human rights for all in Uganda”.
Mandate of UHRC
The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) is a body established by the 1995 Uganda Constitution with the mandate to investigate complaints on its own initiative or upon a complaint by any person or group of persons against the violation of any human right. The 1995 Constitution also clothes UHRC with the powers of a court to, and it “may, if satisfied that there has been an infringement of a human right or freedom, order— the release of a detained or restricted persons.”
They say...
Apology wanted.
LOL! If these people value the lives we gave them they MUST NEVER even think of sending me such a STUPID letter again! This is their last warning! I expect an apology – Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF)
Rights stance.
For me, [I am] comforted that I issued the order invoking my authority under the Constitution, and that it was complied with. Any subsequent comments from the CDF are inconsequential – Ms Mariam Fauzat Wangadya, Uganda Human Rights Commission’s chairperson.
