Uganda Law Society Demands Withdrawal of Treason-Related Charge Against Erias Lukwago
Lawyers under the Uganda Law Society have asked the Director of Public Prosecutions to withdraw the misprision of treason charge against former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, saying the case is legally untenable and politically motivated.
The lawyers marched on Thursday from the ULS headquarters on Acacia Avenue in Kololo to the DPP’s offices at Workers House in Kampala.
They were led by ULS vice president Anthony Asiimwe. The lawyers wore black T-shirts and held a peaceful procession to press for action on a petition they filed on June 17.
ULS says DPP has not responded
Mr Asiimwe said the lawyers had not received a response from the DPP’s office since submitting their petition.
“Ever since we sent the letter, we have never received any communication from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. We know he has a bigger role to play,” Mr Asiimwe said.
When the lawyers reached the DPP’s offices, Director of Public Prosecutions Lino Anguzu was reportedly leaving for another engagement.
Mr Anguzu reportedly told them their concerns would be handled during a meeting scheduled for Monday.
Ssemakadde accuses prosecutors of targeting defence lawyer
In the June 17 petition, ULS president Isaac Ssemakadde accused prosecutors of using the criminal justice system against a lawyer carrying out his professional duties.
“Pursuant to Section 3(c) of the Uganda Law Society Act, this is to register our strongest protest, condemnation and complaint against the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for entertaining, sanctioning or proceeding with the charging of Advocate Erias Lukwago,” Mr Ssemakadde wrote.
He argued that serving court documents and representing clients in court cannot reasonably amount to a treason-related offence.
“Serving court documents or vigorously defending a client in a high-profile political trial does not, and cannot, constitute treason. This is classic lawfare: the weaponisation of criminal justice institutions to harass, cripple and neutralise the defence team of political opponents,” he stated.
Lukwago remanded to Luzira Prison
Mr Lukwago was arrested on Monday by armed security operatives from his home in Wakaliga, Kampala.
He was held incommunicado for two days before resurfacing on Wednesday at Kira Police Station. He was later taken to Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court.
The former Lord Mayor was charged with misprision of treason and remanded to Luzira Prison. Court is expected to rule on his bail application next week.
Mr Lukwago is part of the defence team representing Dr Kizza Besigye, Mr Obeid Lutale and Capt Denis Oola in an ongoing treason case.
Lukwago’s wife criticises Muhoozi
Meanwhile, Mr Lukwago’s wife, Zawedde Lukwago Nalubwama, criticised Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba over her husband’s arrest.
She said such actions risk returning Uganda to an era of fear and repression.
“If this is Gen Muhoozi’s way of seeking approval from us, it will not work. We have come from far; people are tired,” she said.
“We may seem weak because we don’t have guns, but elsewhere people have risen and governments have changed. Uganda needs better governance,” she added.
Opposition leaders call for united response
The developments have also pushed Opposition political parties to close ranks. They said they would work together against what they described as rising impunity, human rights abuses and disregard for the rule of law.
At a meeting held at the headquarters of the People’s Front for Freedom in Kampala, Opposition leaders condemned Mr Lukwago’s arrest.
Uganda Peoples Congress president Jimmy Akena said political leaders must speak out against injustice.
“There is a time to be humble and a time not to be humble. This is the time when we have to speak out with one voice,” Mr Akena said.
He added: “A colleague heading a political party cannot be picked from his residence under strange circumstances, humiliated and imprisoned. This is not the Uganda we aspired for.”
National Unity Platform Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya said arbitrary arrests and abductions would continue unless citizens opposed them collectively.
“This situation will not end unless we rise up. Nobody is safe until all of us are safe,” Mr Rubongoya said.
Alliance for National Transformation national coordinator Alice Alaso also warned that disregard for the rule of law threatens Uganda’s future.
“We are not going to watch you run down this country. It is the only country that we have. We were born here, and it must be preserved through law and good governance,” Ms Alaso said.
The arrest and prosecution of Mr Lukwago have drawn criticism from lawyers, Opposition leaders and civil society groups. They argue that the case raises wider concerns about justice, constitutional rights and the treatment of defence lawyers in politically sensitive cases.
