Bobi Wine bodyguard charged with treason in Gulu

Edward Ssebuufu, the personal bodyguard of Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu has been charged with treason.

Ssebuufu also known as Eddie Mutwe was charged before Gulu Grade One magistrate Yunus Ndiwalana. He was charged together with Musa Ssenyange alias Rabadaba Musisi, a 31-year-old driver a resident in Njeru town council in Buikwe district.

State prosecutor, Julius Ochen told court that the duo is part of the 33 suspects who were charged in the same court with treason. It is alleged that while in Arua, the suspects threw stones at the convoy of President Museveni and smashed the rear window.

Eddie Mutwe (C) with Musa Ssenyange (R) in court today. 

Tony Kitara and Ocaya Acellam, the accused’s lawyers attempted to block the charges saying that the Civil Division of the High court had ordered Ssebuufu be released unconditionally.

“As officers of court we respect this decision, we may not agree with it. We intend to pursue the bigger remedy that this client, just like the previous 33 are entitled. So right now, we’re getting down to work on papers for the bail applications and hopefully before the end of the week or whatever time next we’ll have him produced for his bail application so that they are released.”

However, Ochen said the order was meant to prevent the detention of the suspects in illegal facilities. He said bringing the suspects in court would prevent further illegal detention when they are remanded to a prison facility. Magistrate Ndiwalana then advised the suspects to apply for bail in the High court and remanded them to Gulu Central Prison until October 1.

Ssebuufu, 37, was allegedly picked up by state operatives from Semakokiro Plaza in Kamwokya on August 25, some days after the arrest of his boss Kyagulanyi on August 14. He was locked up incommunicado in unknown place.

His lawyer, Eron Kiiza filed a habeas corpus application on August 30.  Following the application, High court judge Musa Sekaana directed security agencies to produce Ssebuufu in court on September 4 and justify why he was being detained.
On September 4, state prosecutor Peter Tusubira told High court that Ssebuufu would be taken to Gulu Magistrate’s court to answer to charges of treason just like Kyagulanyi and 33 others.
In his earlier ruling, Justice Sekaana said the continued detention of Mutwe is illegal and ordered that he should be released immediately and unconditionally.