Kampala – Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) chairperson Mariam Wangadya has stood her ground amid public criticism and a demand for an apology from the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, over a letter she wrote calling for the release of National Unity Platform (NUP) official Eddie Mutwe.
In a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter), Gen. Muhoozi lashed out at Wangadya’s letter, dated April 26, 2025, calling it “stupid” and threatening that such correspondence should never be sent to him again.
“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 posted on Thursday.
However, Ms Wangadya, unfazed by the attack, has dismissed the threats and reaffirmed her constitutional mandate to hold security agencies accountable for human rights violations.
“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,” Wangadya stated in response to Muhoozi’s remarks.
The dispute stems from the detention of Edward Ssebufu, commonly known as Eddie Mutwe, the head of security for opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine.
Mutwe had been arrested and charged with robbery and aggravated robbery.
However, human rights activists and Mutwe’s legal team claim the arrest was politically motivated and carried out in violation of due process.
Following his prolonged detention, Wangadya wrote to the security authorities demanding his immediate release, citing unlawful detention and credible allegations of torture.
Mutwe was later released and appeared in court, where he was visibly frail and required support to walk.
His lawyers allege that he was subjected to severe torture while in custody, including electrocution and physical abuse, allegations that have reignited public outrage and concern about human rights violations by security forces.
