NUP Deputy Spokesperson’s Wife Dies Amid Controversial Detention

By Skika Reporter

The wife of National Unity Platform (NUP) deputy spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro has passed away, sparking renewed criticism over the continued detention of opposition leaders in Uganda.

Edith Katende Mufumbiro died shortly after 3:00 AM on Wednesday following a prolonged battle with cancer, NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, confirmed. At the time of her passing, her husband remained in Luzira Upper Prison.

“At a moment when he needed to be by his wife’s side, Waiswa continues to be detained without any wrongdoing,” Bobi Wine wrote on X, highlighting what he described as a miscarriage of justice.

Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro and Edith Katende were married in a high-profile Anglican ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe in Kampala on December 16, 2022. The wedding reception at Bobi Wine’s One Love Beach in Busabala was attended by several prominent opposition figures, including detained former presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye and outgoing Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago.

Mufumbiro is facing charges of “unlawful drilling” allegedly committed on February 12, 2025, at the party’s Makerere-Kavule headquarters—claims both he and Bobi Wine have dismissed as unfounded.

Bobi Wine emphasized that Mufumbiro was at Mulago Cancer Institute with his wife on the day of the alleged incident, a fact he says the courts ignored when denying bail.

Mufumbiro has been detained since early September 2025, repeatedly requesting release to care for his ailing wife, all of which have been denied. “The injustice is profound,” Bobi Wine said, while affirming the party’s determination to continue its work despite the loss.

Authorities have not commented on the detention or the allegations. Funeral arrangements for Edith Katende Mufumbiro had not been released as of Wednesday morning.

The tragedy also draws attention to Uganda’s growing cancer burden. The Uganda Cancer Institute estimates about 34,000 new cases annually, with late-stage diagnoses contributing to high mortality rates. Cervical and breast cancers are the most common, and lifestyle factors, infections, and diet are key contributors.