The president of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, has accused the Ugandan government of defying a court order to transfer his aide, Eddie Mutwe, from Masaka Main Prison to Luzira Prison for improved medical care.
In a statement released on Thursday, Kyagulanyi claimed that despite a court directive issued ten days ago, prison authorities have refused to act on the order allegedly under instructions from Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, President Yoweri Museveni’s son and a senior military official.
“The prison authorities on the orders of Museveni’s son have refused to comply with the court order. He remains detained at Masaka where he does not have access to any serious treatment for the effects of torture, beyond the painkillers,” Kyagulanyi stated.
Kyagulanyi further held the government responsible for Mutwe’s ongoing physical and mental suffering, blaming what he described as political persecution of opposition supporters.
The Masaka High Court had reportedly directed Uganda Prisons Services to relocate Mutwe to Luzira Prison to allow access to better medical treatment. Mutwe, whose real name is Edward Ssebufu, has been in custody facing charges related to alleged political unrest.
Uganda Prisons Services and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have not yet issued a public response to the allegations.
The NUP leader has called for the immediate release of Mutwe and other political detainees, using the hashtag #FreeUganda to amplify the demand on social media.
