Opposition political parties have demanded the immediate release of Mr Erias Lukwago, one of the lead lawyers in Dr Kizza Besigye’s treason trial.
Mr Lukwago, the immediate former Lord Mayor of Kampala Capital City, was reportedly taken from his home in Wakaliga, Kampala, on Monday morning by men in military uniform.
Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba later posted on X that Mr Lukwago was in military detention.
The incident has drawn condemnation from Opposition parties, lawyers and civil society actors.
They say it fits a wider pattern of detentions targeting Opposition figures, activists and critics of government.
Lukwago Was Preparing to Serve Court Order
At the time of his detention, Mr Lukwago was preparing to serve Gen Muhoozi with a court order issued by High Court judge Justice Emmanuel Baguma.
The order directed Gen Muhoozi to file his defence in a case filed by Dr Besigye.
Dr Besigye sued Gen Muhoozi over alleged human rights violations linked to his abduction from Nairobi, Kenya, and later threats allegedly made against him.
The case has deepened political tensions between Opposition leaders and security actors.
Opposition figures also renewed criticism of Gen Muhoozi’s public political activity.
They argue that the UPDF Act bars serving army officers from engaging in partisan politics.
Gen Muhoozi has, however, openly associated with a political pressure group aligned with the ruling National Resistance Movement.
He has also publicly declared interest in succeeding President Museveni.
Bobi Wine Condemns Detention
National Unity Platform leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, condemned Mr Lukwago’s detention.
He compared the incident to the detention of his bodyguard Edward Ssebuufu, also known as Eddie Mutwe.
“On Muhoozi’s orders, military men have raided and abducted Lukwago from his home in Wakaliga before whisking him away in a drone to an unknown destination. The abduction has been confirmed and closely followed by posts on Twitter [X] from Muhoozi, boasting that he has taken him to the “basement” to torture him just like he did to comrade Eddie Mutwe in April 2025! I call upon all of us to reject and resist this brazen impunity,” he said.
NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya also called for Mr Lukwago’s release.
“The abduction of [People’s Front for Freedom] PFF leader, Hon Erias Lukwago is absurd. The lawlessness must be condemned by all people of good conscience,” he posted.
FDC Says Rule of Law Has Hit Rock Bottom
Forum for Democratic Change president Patrick Amuriat Oboi said the detention showed that Uganda’s rule of law crisis had reached a dangerous level.
“Well, I think that for a long time now, we have not enjoyed the rule of law and I think this is just reaching its climax,” Mr Amuriat said in a phone interview.
He said the incident reminded him of past periods when security forces used fear to silence dissent.
“What precipitated yesterday was certainly a statement to the nation that the rules don’t apply. And I think this is taking us back in the days when pandagari [board the truck] was the order of the day, when disappearances were the order of the day,” he said.
Mr Amuriat urged institutions such as the Attorney General’s office and Parliament to respond.
He said silence by the political class could deepen public fear.
“I think the bottom line is great fear and the statement being made is ‘dare me and you are going to be in hot soup’. So, what I see happening is loud silence happening among the political elite and resignation on the part of the population, which now feels subdued and that is not good for a country like ours and for a leader who has got his focus and eyes on the presidency of this country,” he said.
ANT Raises Concern Over State Power
Alliance for National Transformation Secretary General Alice Alaso said Mr Lukwago’s detention should not be treated as an isolated incident.
She said it reflected growing intolerance towards criticism.
“They came with the reign of terror. It is no longer something of the 1970s. It is something of the European history because abducting Erias Lukwago and I don’t want us to deal with Lukwago’s abduction as an isolated event,” she said.
She added that the incident should be viewed in the wider context of human rights and state accountability.
“It is something that should be treated in light of the human rights and the increasing intolerance the regime has towards any form of criticism. Whether institutional, the way the Lukwagos are doing, through courts of law, or even individuals expressing different views. And so the regime has become totally scared,” Ms Alaso said.
Ms Alaso also questioned the extent of Gen Muhoozi’s authority.
She said the military chief appeared to be exercising powers that should belong to lawful civilian institutions.
“So, it looks like President Museveni has already handed over power because, since when does a military chief, who should be defending territorial sovereignty, the borders of the country, begin to have the power to just arrest the citizens and keep them basically without trial? So, it looks like President Museveni already handed over power and we are not in safe hands of Muhoozi. We are heading to very dark days for the country,” she said.
UPC Warns Against Return to 1970s Politics
Uganda Peoples’ Congress Secretary General Fred Ebil said the country should not return to politics marked by fear and forced disappearances.
“I don’t think we should go back to the same politics and security situation of the 1970s where people could be abducted in broad daylight and never to be seen again. So, I urge the government and especially the security personnel, most especially their leaders, to restrain from that kind of political situation that will drag us back to our past. We’ve come a long way and we are not ready to go back there,” he said.
Mr Ebil said state security leaders should act within the law and avoid conduct that could undermine public trust.
Jeema Demands Unconditional Release
The Justice Forum party also condemned what it called the unlawful abduction of Mr Lukwago.
The party said the incident was troubling because it happened on the day Mr Lukwago was expected to serve a court summons on the CDF.
“This incident reflects a disturbing and growing trend in which certain individuals act with impunity, disregarding the laws of this country while presenting themselves as untouchable on account of historical contributions to nation-building,” Jeema said in a statement.
The party said no citizen should be treated as being above the law.
“No one is above the law. Those who claim privilege today are not the first to contribute to this nation. The true fathers of our independence, who endured prison, exile, and sacrifice for Uganda’s freedom, never demanded an inch of its land or a share of its resources for personal gain,” the statement added.
Jeema said Uganda belongs to all citizens, not a privileged few.
“Uganda is not a private estate. It belongs to all 45 million Ugandans, who are equal before the law and must equally observe it,” the party said.
The party demanded Mr Lukwago’s immediate and unconditional release within 24 hours.
It also called on state agencies to uphold the Constitution and protect citizens from arbitrary detention.
“The sanctity of our nation rests on one principle: equal citizenship under the law. We shall not surrender it,” Jeema said.
DP and NRM Yet to Respond
The incident has intensified debate over the rule of law, military power and the protection of legal practitioners in politically sensitive cases.
Opposition parties say the detention of a lawyer handling a case against the CDF raises serious questions about access to justice and the independence of the legal profession.
By press time, the Democratic Party, whose president Norbert Mao is the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, had not responded.
The ruling National Resistance Movement had also not responded to the concerns raised.
