The Buganda Kingdom Premier Charles Peter Mayiga, has urged the central government to release the National Unity Platform (NUP), President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine’s chief civilian bodyguard Edward Ssebufu alias Eddie Mutwe, and all other political prisoners’ in order to promote peace and reconciliation in the country’s post-election period.
“Since the election process ended, we ask there to be true lasting peace, those who were arrested over petty electoral issues should be released” he said.
He added, “They should be released because even the evidence that implicates them isn’t there, that Eddie Mutwe stole a phone, or a sweater, that Eddie Mutwe stole a sweater, he is facing crimes, they have removed his teeth, they have done this and that, why don’t they release him, voting ended” he said.
Premier Mayiga who made the remarks during the State of Buganda Kingdom address at Bulange, Mengo also criticised government over arresting the assistant parish priest of Bumangi parish in Kalangala district, Rev Fr Deusidedit Ssekabira, for more than two months over alleged money laundering.
“There was also a priest who had been arrested in Masaka, that he had got money, maybe it’s this recent talk (Sovereignty Bill), Fr Ssekabira, where is the evidence that pins him, you arrest a priest yet you could just tell the Bishop, that we need him to report to Police every week, he would have come” he said.
Mayiga has further urged government to take all other political prisoners to the courts of law, where evidence that pins them against their alleged crimes could be brought and given a fair hearing.
“Even those who are still being investigated, you know government can arrest you when they are still investigating some things, let them be released on court bail as investigations continue. There can’t be true development if there is no true peace, even people can’t collaborate well, since each is conscious of the other” he said.
According to the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, Ssebufu was abducted on April 26, 2025, in Mukono by unknown armed men and reportedly taken away in a Toyota Hiace, commonly referred to as a “drone.”
He is said to have been seized ahead of a planned launch of the “youth protest vote” scheduled for April 28, 2025, at the NUP headquarters.
Ssebufu later appeared before court in Masaka, where he was charged with aggravated robbery, days after the military confirmed he was in custody.
In a separate case, Ssebufu, alongside NUP spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro and 20 others, is facing charges of unlawful drilling and conspiracy to commit a felony.
The charges stem from allegations that the group conducted unauthorised military-style training at the party’s offices in Makerere-Kavule in February 2025.
The case continues to draw public attention amid broader concerns about arrests linked to political activity.
During the address, Premier Mayiga also revealed that the Kingdom had renewed it’s call for increased productivity across all sectors under its “Situla Omutindo” initiative, aimed at improving household incomes and community well-being.
Katikkiro Mayiga noted that the campaign encourages citizens to adopt practical, income-generating activities and better utilise available resources such as land, skills and local markets, while focusing on six key areas of agriculture, trade, health, education, family management and talent development.
