MASAKA
A deafening silence engulfed the court room at Masaka Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning as Edward Ssebuufu, commonly known as Eddie Mutwe, narrated the dreadful conditions he was subjected to while in military detention .
He told court that he takes 12 painkillers every day to relieve the immense pain he currently undergoes .
Mutwe, the chief civilian body guard of National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi said “I am dying. I feel terrible pain.”
“If they must cut off my arms, let it be done now so that I can have a chance to receive some medical treatment.”
Mutwe appeared before Masaka Chief Magistrate Abdullah Kayiza together with other Kyagulanyi’s body guards including Achileo Kivumbi, Gaddafi Mugumya, and Smart Wakabi, who are also facing charges of aggravated robbery, assault ,malicious damage to property charges.
As it was the case when Mutwe first appeared in court , the Tuesday’s session was characterized by heightened security and emotional scenes as the accused were brought into court premises under tight security . Outside the courtroom, dozens of NUP supporters gathered to show solidarity with jailed friends .
Their legal team, led by Samuel Muyizzi, Benjamin Katana, and George Musisi, is seeking medical treatment for the suspects and pressing for their immediate release, citing illegal detention and torture. According to Muyizzi , they want their clients particularly Mutwe to be transferred to Luzira Prison which has a better health facility at Murchison Bay section .
According to the amended charge sheet, the prosecution alleges that on May 18, 2024, Ssebufu, alongside Achilleo Kivumbi, Gaddafi Mugumya, and Grace Wakabi Smart, and others still at large, robbed Margaret Kayondo, a Masaka-based journalist with Radio Simba, at Manja Village in Lwengo District.
The accused reportedly took her green sweater and mobile phone valued at Shs730,000 and threatened her with sharp knives and sticks.
The court also heard that the group assaulted another journalist, Zainab Namusazi, a correspondent for NBS Television, causing her actual bodily harm
. During the incident, her video camera, valued at Shs1.5 million, was reportedly destroyed.
The altercation occurred during the burial of Pascal Ssekasamba, a UK-based businessman and younger brother to former DP Secretary General Mathias Nsubuga. Journalists were allegedly blocked from covering the event as guards loyal to Bobi Wine attempted to restrict media movement.
Further allegations indicate that the group robbed another victim, Murungi Rodgers, of a jumper, a Spark 20 mobile phone worth Shs470,000, Shs200,000 in cash, and a national ID—all valued at Shs870,000—before using violence against him.
Other victims named in the case include John Mulazi, Drake Lubega, and Haruna Ssekito, whose phones were also stolen at the funeral.