By Alex Don
Masaka, Uganda – Tension filled the grounds of Masaka High Court on Monday morning as security operatives quietly dropped off Edward Ssebufu, popularly known as Eddie Mutwe, a close bodyguard to opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine. This came exactly one week after Mutwe was reportedly abducted from Mukono District under unclear circumstances.
In a dramatic twist, journalists who had gathered outside the court in anticipation of covering the case were barred from entering the premises. Security personnel provided no explanation for the decision, fueling further speculation and concern over the secrecy surrounding the case.
Magellan Kazibwe, the lawyer representing Mutwe, condemned the move to exclude the press and expressed frustration with the opaque court proceedings. Speaking to reporters outside the court gates, Kazibwe stated:
> “This is a matter of public interest. The public deserves to know what happened to Eddie during the week he was missing, and why due process continues to be skirted. Preventing the media from attending court undermines transparency and justice.”
Kazibwe explained that Ssebufu was presented before a judge without prior notice to his legal team, and that no formal charges were immediately read out during the brief, closed-door session.
Mutwe’s sudden reappearance, combined with the lack of communication from security agencies and now the media blackout, has raised fresh concerns among human rights organizations and the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), who allege state-led intimidation and unlawful detentions of political activists.
At the time of writing, it remains unclear what charges, if any, Mutwe is facing. Kazibwe vowed to challenge the procedural irregularities in higher courts if necessary, emphasizing that justice cannot be served in silence.
This incident marks the latest in a series of contentious legal and political clashes between state authorities and supporters of Bobi Wine, who has long accused the Ugandan government of using the judiciary and security forces to suppress dissent.
ctvuganda
