The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, has issued a rare and strongly-worded statement calling on the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to release Edward Ssebuufu, popularly known as Eddie Mutwe. The Katikkiro’s remarks come after growing public anger over the controversial arrest and detention of the close aide to opposition figure Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine).
Eddie Mutwe was allegedly arrested by Gen. Muhoozi himself under unusual circumstances. According to various reports and social media statements attributed to the General, Mutwe was taken into custody for reasons that included “growing a beard” and “failing to speak Runyankole.” These remarks quickly triggered a public uproar, with many Ugandans decrying what they called ethnic profiling and abuse of military authority.
Katikkiro Mayiga’s response comes after days of silence from Mengo, the seat of the Buganda Kingdom, which had begun to draw criticism from the public. Many Baganda, especially online, accused the Kingdom of ignoring the plight of one of its sons—accused, humiliated, and reportedly coerced into learning a language foreign to his culture.
The Katikkiro also noted that the Police, not the military, is legally mandated to handle arrests and civilian cases. He called on Gen. Muhoozi to transfer Eddie Mutwe to the proper authorities if indeed there are any legal grounds for his detention.
“I ask Gen. Muhoozi @mkainerugaba to hand over Eddie Mutwe to the Police if there is any crime he committed.
Acts such as abducting people, beating journalists, and issuing threats will not yield anything good. Now, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has arrested Edward Ssebuufu (Eddie Mutwe), accusing him of growing a beard and not knowing Runyankole! According to the law, it is the Police that have the authority to arrest and detain lawbreakers. Therefore, I request Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba to hand over Eddie Mutwe to the Police if there is any crime he committed, and let the Police follow the law,” Katikkiro wrote on his X Twitter page.
Gen. Muhoozi, in earlier statements, appeared to downplay the backlash, sarcastically tweeting about Mutwe’s “unwillingness to learn Runyankole,” a tweet that has since gone viral and been widely condemned as tribal and inflammatory.
Since then, tribal tensions have been rising, with opposition supporters warning of growing divisions between ethnic groups, particularly Baganda and Banyankole. Civil society groups have also urged government leaders to exercise restraint and promote national unity.
Katikkiro Mayiga’s statement has been welcomed as a timely intervention that may help de-escalate the situation, though calls for Eddie Mutwe’s immediate release continue to grow.
