Human rights defenders have warned that Uganda could face deeper rule of law challenges if allegations of arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, and excessive use of force continue without accountability.
The activists also criticised what they described as the Judiciary’s silence amid repeated reports of rights violations. They said failure to enforce constitutional protections could weaken public trust in State institutions.
Their concerns follow the reported detention of former Kampala Lord Mayor and senior lawyer Erias Lukwago on Monday, June 15, 2026.
The incident came in the context of legal proceedings linked to an application filed by Opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye.
The criticism intensified after Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba posted about the incident on social media. He later shared photographs of a person he identified as Mr Lukwago.
The posts drew condemnation from sections of the legal fraternity and civil society.
Activists Warn of Fear and Shrinking Civic Space
Speaking to the Daily Monitor, human rights activist Agather Atuhaire described Mr Lukwago’s detention as a troubling sign of growing disregard for the rule of law.
She said the Judiciary had not done enough to hold perpetrators of rights violations accountable. She also said courts must punish breaches of the law and provide justice to victims of torture and unlawful detention.
“Every Ugandan should be worried about where this country is headed. If people are continuously abducted, subjected to force and inhumane treatment because they have condemned injustice or carried out their professional duties, then we should be concerned about the future generations,” Ms Atuhaire said.
She urged lawyers to defend constitutional rights and the independence of the legal profession.
“Lawyers must rise and defend their rights while they still can. If they do not, the profession itself risks being compromised, which could open the door to even greater human rights violations,” she said.
FHRI Condemns Arrest
The Executive Director of the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative, Dr Livingstone Sewanyana, condemned Mr Lukwago’s arrest.
He described it as arbitrary and said it reflected wider governance concerns.
Dr Sewanyana said Uganda’s laws provide clear procedures for arrest and detention. However, he said those procedures are not applied consistently.
“The arbitrary arrest of Erias Lukwago comes against the backdrop of several arbitrary arrests we have witnessed in recent years,” he said.
“The fact that we continue to witness arbitrary arrests and detentions indicates that there does not appear to be a serious commitment by the government to addressing human rights concerns.”
Dr Sewanyana also questioned why institutions mandated to defend constitutional order appear reluctant to act when allegations of unlawful detention arise.
“We need lawful procedures and a sense of freedom among the population. We cannot talk about socio-economic transformation when people are living in fear,” he said.
Bireete Urges President to Protect Rights
The Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance, Ms Sarah Bireete, called on President Museveni to uphold his constitutional duty to protect citizens’ rights and freedoms.
She said repeated allegations of abductions and torture involving security agencies raise serious questions about constitutional governance.
“The President took an oath to protect the Constitution and the people of Uganda. When we continue to see allegations of abductions and torture involving security agencies, it raises questions about constitutional governance,” Ms Bireete said.
Human rights defender Margaret Nattabi said continued arrests of activists, Opposition supporters, and government critics could weaken public participation.
She said many young people now hesitate to engage in civic activism because they fear repercussions.
“We are reaching a point where public officials can violate people’s rights and many citizens feel powerless to respond. Even the freedom to speak openly is increasingly under threat,” Ms Nattabi said.
She also criticised Gen Muhoozi’s publication of images of detained individuals on social media.
Ms Nattabi cited previous cases involving National Unity Platform president Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, his wife Barbara Itungo, and his bodyguard Edward Ssebuufu, also known as Eddie Mutwe.
Lawyers Say Legal Work Is Being Targeted
Another human rights defender, Ms Flavia Ramto, said many Ugandans now fear speaking out against people in authority.
“In Uganda, speaking truth to power increasingly comes with the risk of detention or mistreatment because some leaders do not welcome accountability. We would not be witnessing this if democratic principles were fully respected,” she said.
Lawyer Eron Kiiza described Mr Lukwago’s detention as an attack on legal practitioners and the right to legal representation.
“The latest in a series of illegal attempts by the State to harass, intimidate and silence Dr Besigye’s lawyers is a criminalisation of professional legal work. It threatens lawyers’ liberty, dignity and ability to represent their clients,” Mr Kiiza said.
Human rights defenders said the latest developments present a major test for the Judiciary, Parliament, and the Executive.
They said the three arms of government must demonstrate commitment to constitutionalism, civil liberties, and the protection of citizens from unlawful State action.
