National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, on Wednesday morning announced the death of Edith Katende Mufumbiro, the wife of the party’s Deputy Spokesperson, Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro.
Kyagulanyi made the announcement in a post on X, revealing that Edith passed away shortly after 3:00am following a battle with cancer.
Her death comes at a deeply painful time for the family, with Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro still detained at Luzira Upper Prison, where he remains on charges the opposition party has repeatedly described as politically motivated.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of our dear sister and comrade, Edith Katende Mufumbiro,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
In the emotional statement, Bobi Wine said Waiswa was unable to be by his wife’s side in her final moments because he remains in prison over allegations of “unlawful drilling” said to have occurred at the NUP party headquarters on February 12, 2025.
However, Kyagulanyi insisted that on the day in question, Waiswa was not at the party headquarters, but was instead at the Mulago Cancer Institute, where he had accompanied his wife for treatment.
He accused the state of knowingly pursuing what he described as false and politically driven charges, and faulted the judiciary for continuing to deny Waiswa bail despite what he said were clear humanitarian grounds.
According to Bobi Wine, Waiswa has applied for bail several times, pleading with court to allow him temporary freedom so he could take care of his ailing wife, but those requests were allegedly rejected.
“The injustice!” Kyagulanyi lamented, using the tragedy to once again criticize what he called the persecution of opposition members under the current regime.
The NUP leader said the loss of Edith, while her husband remains behind bars, reflects the human cost of political repression and the suffering endured by families of detained opposition activists.
He nevertheless urged party supporters to remain strong and hopeful, saying the struggle for justice and freedom must continue despite such painful setbacks.
Edith’s passing is likely to reignite public debate over the continued detention of opposition figures who have cited medical and family hardship in unsuccessful bail applications.
Kyagulanyi concluded his message by praying for strength for Waiswa and the bereaved family during what he described as an incredibly painful moment.
“May God grant the family, especially our brother Waiswa, the strength he needs at this time,” he wrote.
