The National Unity Platform (NUP) is mourning the death of Edith Katende Mufumbiro, the wife of its detained Deputy Spokesperson, Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, in a loss that has deepened grief within the party while reigniting debate over his prolonged incarceration.
Edith passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, shortly after 3:00 am, following a hard-fought battle with cancer. Her death comes after months of being apart from her husband, who remains on remand at Luzira Maximum Security Prison.
Announcing her passing, NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu paid tribute to her resilience while sharply criticizing the state and judiciary for what he described as a failure to allow Mufumbiro to be with his ailing wife in her final days.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of our dear sister and comrade, Edith Katende Mufumbiro,” Kyagulanyi said in a statement. “Edith passed on after 3:00 am today following a hard-fought battle with cancer. At the time of her passing, her dear husband, Waiswa, remains detained for no crime whatsoever. His only crime is speaking out against injustice and misrule.”
Kyagulanyi further dismissed the charges against Mufumbiro as politically motivated, pointing to alleged inconsistencies in the case.
“The criminal regime placed on him and others the sham charge of ‘unlawful drilling’ which allegedly took place on February 12, 2025, at our party headquarters. In fact, on that day, Waiswa never stepped there as he was at the Uganda Cancer Institute with his wife. The judiciary, fully aware of these facts, has chosen to conspire in this persecution,” he said.
Mufumbiro, who was also NUP’s candidate for Nakawa East Member of Parliament, was arrested on September 8, 2025, just days before his nomination.
He was subsequently charged with offences including unlawful drilling and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Since then, he has remained in detention, with his case still pending before the court. According to the party, he has applied for bail multiple times, including pleas to be released to care for his critically ill wife, but these applications have been denied.
“Waiswa has made an impassioned plea to the court to be released on bail so that he can take care of his sick wife, but it has been denied. The injustice!” Kyagulanyi added.
During this period, Edith reportedly battled cancer with limited support from her husband due to his continued incarceration, a situation that has drawn sympathy and anger from supporters and human rights advocates.
Her passing has triggered an outpouring of condolences from family, friends, and NUP supporters, many of whom have described her as a steadfast and supportive partner who stood by her husband through his political struggles.
Beyond the personal tragedy, the incident has once again cast a spotlight on the treatment of opposition figures in Uganda, particularly the use of prolonged pre-trial detention and delays in concluding cases.
As the party mourns, Kyagulanyi struck a note of resilience amid grief.
“As difficult as it is, we remain hopeful that we shall overcome someday. May God grant the family, especially our brother Waiswa, the strength he needs at this time,” he said.
For NUP, Edith’s death is not only a moment of mourning but also a stark reminder of the human cost of political conflict—one that continues to shape the country’s opposition landscape.
