Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

- Tears, outrage, and raw pain gripped the courtroom as Edward Ssebuufu, alias Eddie Mutwe, appeared before the Masaka High Court in a visibly broken state.

The Tuesday, May 20 session, intended to review progress in the state’s case against him, quickly turned into a powerful outcry against alleged torture, unlawful detention, and the deteriorating condition of political detainees in Uganda.

Dressed in a black T-shirt with a scarf draped around his neck, Mutwe, the head of security for opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), limped into the courtroom using crutches.

But it wasn’t until he dramatically raised his arms to reveal deep scars and bruises, allegedly from torture in custody, that the atmosphere in court turned into distress.

Gasps were heard around the room as his trembling voice cracked while he addressed the court, revealing his pain.

"I take 12 pain killers every day. I’m dying… I feel I’m dying… If they must cut off my arms, let it be done so that I can get some treatment. I’m dying from pain. I have a lot of pain; I urgently need serious medical attention because my situation has been worsening, and the Masaka prison authorities have since failed to manage it," he said, his face etched with pain.

The entire courtroom, including his mother, wife, and fellow National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters, was overcome with emotion.

Several supporters sobbed openly, while Mutwe’s mother, Jane Nantumbwe, collapsed into tears, unable to see her son in pain.

"This is not justice. I can’t bear to see my son like this," she sobbed.

Mutwe is facing aggravated robbery and assault charges stemming from an incident that allegedly took place on May 18, 2024.

The state claims he, along with co-accused Achilleo Kivumbi Mugumya and Grace Wakabi alias Smart wa Bobi, robbed civilians and journalists of mobile phones, money, and personal items during a procession in Masaka following the burial of former Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya.

According to his legal team, led by Samuel Muyizzi and Magellan Kazibwe, Mutwe’s health has drastically declined due to inhumane treatment.

He had initially gone missing after being abducted by unidentified individuals, and it was only days later that General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of President Yoweri Museveni confirmed that he was in military custody.

As reported by Daily Monitor, lead prosecutor Michael Wakosase announced that investigations into the case had been completed and the state was ready to proceed with trial.

However, the defence team insisted that the current state of their client made a fair trial impossible and pleaded for urgent medical intervention.

Presiding magistrate Abdallah Kayiza remanded Ssebuufu to Luzira’s Murchison Bay Prison, which reportedly has better medical facilities, and committed the case to the High Court for further handling.

In another incident, Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye appeared in the High Court Civil Division in Kampala, visibly frail and wearing slippers.

Handcuffed alongside his aide Obeid Lutale and lawyer Eron Kiiza, Besigye remained silent throughout the proceedings, leaving his legal team to address the court.

His wife, Winnie Byanyima, was present, urging the court to grant a habeas corpus application, arguing that Besigye's detention was unlawful.

Source: TUKO.co.ke