A dramatic security operation unfolded in Kampala on Monday morning after former Kampala Lord Mayor and senior lawyer Erias Lukwago was picked up from his Wakaliga home by armed security personnel, triggering a wave of political outrage and heated debate across Uganda.
The operation, which unfolded shortly after dawn, was preceded by Lukwago’s own warning on X. “My home has been surrounded by the military. They are here to abduct me…” the veteran opposition politician posted shortly before he was taken away.Minutes later, videos circulating online showed heavily armed security personnel surrounding the residence before Lukwago was escorted into a waiting white passenger minibus commonly referred to by Ugandans as a “drone.”
WHAT THE FOOTAGE SHOWS
The widely shared footage captures a tense but controlled security operation. A white passenger minibus is parked outside the gate of Lukwago’s residence while several uniformed security personnel move around the compound.
The video shows officers escorting Lukwago from the premises toward the waiting vehicle as other armed personnel maintain a security cordon around the compound.
Several residents and bystanders gather nearby, watching the operation from a distance while some record the unfolding events on their phones.Within moments, Lukwago is placed inside the waiting vehicle before it drives away from the scene under security escort. The footage does not show officers explaining the reason for the operation.
MUHOOZI BREAKS SILENCE
Shortly after news of the arrest spread, Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba posted a series of messages on X. One of the posts read: “I have captured a FOOL and taken him to the basement! This one will learn Kiswahili.” Earlier, Gen. Muhoozi had also written:
“Who summoned me?? How do you DARE to utter those words? Only Mzee can summon me. This fool will learn the lesson he has been begging for.” The posts quickly went viral, drawing thousands of reactions from supporters and critics alike.
QUESTIONS OVER THE ARREST
The circumstances surrounding Lukwago’s arrest immediately became the subject of intense public discussion.
According to reports, the operation comes amid ongoing legal proceedings involving opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, whose legal team includes Lukwago. Public reports have noted that the legal team has been pursuing court action involving Gen. Muhoozi over previous public statements.Authorities had not immediately released an official statement detailing the legal basis for the operation.
UGANDANS REACT
As news of the arrest spread, X erupted with sharply divided reactions. Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura criticized the operation, replying to Gen. Muhoozi’s post by writing:
“You are a coward!” Political commentator Jim Spire Ssentongo warned that: “The impunity will keep rising, until we realise that no one is safe in such an environment.” Another user, @ivantukundane_, posted: “The man has been abducted… this impunity General will come to an end one day.” Others questioned why a lawyer should be arrested in such dramatic circumstances.
“A fool or not should be subjected to laws of Uganda. We’re not a barbaric country for God’s sake,” wrote X user Mbarara CityBorn. Not everyone criticized the operation.Some users openly supported the action, with one commenter writing: “Punish that fake lawyer Lukwago.” Another jokingly remarked: “He is a lawyer, he will sue you Afande.”
The differing reactions highlighted the deep political divisions that continue to characterize Uganda’s online debate.
CIVIL SOCIETY RAISES CONCERN
Several civil society voices expressed concern over the circumstances of the arrest. Human rights advocates have repeatedly argued that arrests involving politicians and lawyers should follow transparent legal procedures and that authorities should promptly disclose where detainees are being held and the legal grounds for their detention.
Other governance advocates urged security agencies to uphold constitutional safeguards, emphasizing that every suspect is entitled to due process regardless of political affiliation.
A FAMILIAR FACE IN OPPOSITION POLITICS
Lukwago remains one of Uganda’s most recognizable opposition figures. A lawyer by profession, he has represented several prominent opposition politicians over the years, including Dr. Kizza Besigye.
He previously served as Kampala Lord Mayor and has frequently challenged government decisions through the courts, making him one of the country’s most prominent legal and political figures.
POLITICAL TEMPERATURE RISING
Monday’s operation is likely to intensify political tensions as Uganda heads toward another busy political season. Supporters of the opposition described the arrest as another sign of shrinking political space, while supporters of the government argued that no individual should be above the law.The online exchanges that followed demonstrated just how polarized public opinion has become.
By Monday afternoon, questions remained over where Lukwago had been taken and the specific legal basis for his arrest.Neither police nor military authorities had publicly issued a detailed statement explaining the operation or any charges he might face.
For now, the dramatic images of armed personnel escorting one of Uganda’s best-known opposition lawyers into a waiting white minibus have become the latest flashpoint in the country’s increasingly heated political landscape.
As supporters demand his release and critics defend the security operation, attention is expected to shift to what legal steps follow—and whether authorities provide a formal explanation for one of the day’s most closely watched arrests.
Author Profile
- Charles Gazza Kodili is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication. He’s currently the Chief Editor at the Investigator.
Charles can also be reached via; Tel: +256 774 108978
Email: [email protected]
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