In brief
Former mayor‑turned‑lawyer Erias Lukwago was arrested early this week and charged with failure to report treason, a move that has drawn condemnation from the country’s top military chief and opposition leaders. Lukwago, who represents detained opposition figure Kizza Besigye, denied the allegations and has been remanded until his trial in November. The case underscores the fraught relationship between Uganda’s government and its opposition, with allegations that the arrest was ordered by Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Legal and human rights observers warn that the proceedings could deepen fears of political repression and erode judicial independence.
Former mayor lawyer Lukwago faces treason‑related charges
Erias Lukwago, a former Ugandan mayor and lawyer for high‑profile opposition figure Kizza Besigye, was arrested at his home earlier this week and appeared before a magistrate’s court in Kampala. He was charged with a treason‑related offence – specifically, failure to report treason – a claim he denied.
Lukwago was described by local media as looking visibly weak during the court appearance. He has been remanded in prison until the next week, when his case will be heard. His family has sought a court order to compel security officers to disclose his whereabouts and release him, whether “dead or alive”, following accusations that he was abducted.
The arrest sparked public condemnation after Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s military chief and the president’s son, boasted about it on social media. Kainerugaba’s post featured photos that appeared to show Lukwago blindfolded and was followed by remarks that the lawyer would endure “hurt and pain”.
Opposition figure Bobi Wine, who fled Uganda fearing persecution after the controversial January presidential election, alleged that Lukwago’s arrest was ordered by Kainerugaba because Lukwago was preparing to serve a court summons to the military chief. Wine urged supporters to reject “brazen impunity” and resist the perceived abuse of power.
Kizza Besigye, a former personal doctor to President Yoweri Museveni who later broke ranks in 1999, has been detained on treason charges since his forced return from Kenya in 2024. The case highlights broader concerns about judicial independence, human rights, and political repression in Uganda, where opposition leaders face repeated detentions and legal challenges that critics claim are politically motivated.
