A political storm engulfed Uganda on Tuesday after Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba publicly acknowledged that former Kampala Lord Mayor and veteran opposition lawyer Erias Lukwago was being held by the military, before declaring that he would be released after what he described as a heartfelt plea from his dear wife, Sharlotte.
The dramatic admission followed nearly 24 hours of uncertainty over Lukwago’s whereabouts after armed men reportedly seized him from his home before dawn on Monday.”Because of the love shown by my wife, Sharlotte, I will release Erias Lukwago at any time,” Gen. Muhoozi posted on X, without indicating where the lawyer was being held or specifying when he would be freed.
The remarks effectively confirmed what the opposition, legal fraternity and human rights campaigners had alleged throughout the day—that Lukwago was in military custody.
THE ARREST
According to eyewitness accounts from Lukwago’s family and political allies, heavily armed security operatives stormed his residence in the early hours of Monday.Video footage circulating online appeared to show the former Kampala Lord Mayor being forcefully bundled into a white Toyota Hiace van, commonly referred to in Uganda as a “drone.”
His whereabouts then remained unknown for several hours as both the Uganda Police Force and other security agencies remained silent despite mounting public pressure.The mystery deepened when Gen. Muhoozi began posting messages on his X account referring to Lukwago’s detention.
Later, fresh photographs posted by the army commander appeared to show Lukwago looking visibly distressed while in custody. The images quickly spread across social media, prompting condemnation from lawyers and human rights defenders who argued they amounted to public humiliation.
OUTRAGE EXPLODES
The detention immediately ignited an avalanche of criticism from opposition leaders, lawyers, civil society organisations and ordinary Ugandans.
National Unity Platform president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, launched one of the strongest attacks against Gen. Muhoozi.
“Wewe ni mlevi wa taifa tu!” Bobi Wine wrote before accusing the army commander of disgracing the Uganda People’s Defence Forces.”You never earned the ranks you wear,” Bobi Wine said, adding that history would judge both Gen. Muhoozi and President Yoweri Museveni harshly over what he described as abuses committed against Ugandans.
WINNIE BYANYIMA SPEAKS OUT
Winnie Byanyima, the wife of jailed opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye—whose legal team includes Lukwago—described the events as devastating.
“I am devastated by what has been done to Erias Lukwago,” she posted. She alleged that Lukwago had suffered abduction, torture and public humiliation, saying these actions represented “an assault on the rule of law itself.”
Byanyima further accused President Museveni of allowing his son to operate above the law.”The mask has slipped,” she wrote. “The claim that Uganda is governed by law rather than by the will of two powerful men has become impossible to sustain.”
LAWYERS DEMAND JUSTICE
Human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo condemned the circulation of photographs showing Lukwago in detention. “We’ll not reshare the torture images,” Opiyo said.He argued that reproducing the pictures would only further the interests of those responsible for Lukwago’s treatment.
Instead, Opiyo demanded either Lukwago’s immediate release or his production before court through lawful procedures. “You humiliate the man, torture him, but you’ll never match the power of his ideas,” he said. “We only ask that when you have satisfied your cheap desires, leave him alive to return to his family.”
Uganda Law Society President Isaac Ssemakadde also joined growing calls demanding accountability, insisting that lawyers should never become targets because they represent unpopular clients.
His position echoed the wider concern within Uganda’s legal fraternity that attacks on advocates threaten the independence of the justice system itself.
CIVIL SOCIETY JOINS CHORUS
Civil society organisations quickly rallied behind Lukwago. Sarah Bireete, Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance, condemned what she described as arbitrary detention and called for strict adherence to constitutional safeguards.
Other activists warned that enforced disappearances and unlawful detentions undermine public confidence in state institutions and violate fundamental rights guaranteed under Uganda’s Constitution.
EVEN NRM SUPPORTERS EXPRESS CONCERN
Surprisingly, criticism did not come only from opposition circles. Political analyst Dr. Arinaitwe Rugyendo, who openly identifies with the National Resistance Movement’s historical ideals, questioned whether the current actions reflected the principles upon which the NRM came to power.
He recalled President Museveni’s past speeches condemning state humiliation of citizens and defending human rights. “Our parents believed in a country where scenes such as the pictures of Lukwago being circulated would be a thing of the past,” Rugyendo wrote.He further cited President Museveni’s previous warnings to security agencies against torture and illegal detention, urging the UPDF to remain faithful to those principles.
Former MP Salaam Musumba also lamented what she described as the return of an era characterised by kidnappings and disappearances.Meanwhile, NRM supporter Abraham Luzzi appealed directly to Gen. Muhoozi to forgive Lukwago if he had committed any wrongdoing. “If he did wrong, let him be charged legally,” Luzzi wrote. “Please just forgive him.”
FEARS OVER RULE OF LAW
Lawyer Medard Sseggona said Lukwago’s detention raised serious concerns not only for his physical safety but also for the integrity of Uganda’s justice system. “Erias Lukwago’s situation is worrying, both for his life and his freedom,” Sseggona said.”What is even more concerning is when someone considers it not only acceptable, but also something to joke about.”
The controversy has renewed longstanding accusations by opposition politicians and human rights groups that Uganda has witnessed a pattern of unlawful arrests and prolonged incommunicado detentions. Government officials have previously maintained that security operations are conducted within the law and are necessary for national security.
WAITING FOR RELEASE
By Tuesday evening, Gen. Muhoozi’s public assurance that Lukwago would be released had eased some fears over his immediate whereabouts, but uncertainty remained because no official release time had been announced.As Ugandans continued waiting for Lukwago to walk free, pressure mounted on authorities to explain the legal basis for his detention and address growing demands for accountability.
Whether his promised release would calm the political storm or deepen questions about the rule of law remained to be seen, but one thing was already clear: the detention of one of Uganda’s most prominent opposition lawyers had once again thrust the country’s human rights record into the national and international spotlight.
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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