Ugandan opposition lawyer charged with treason-related offense

His arrest on Monday drew condemnation, particularly after Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the country's military chief and son of President Yoweri Museveni, boasted about it on social media. Opposition politician Bobi Wine alleged that Lukwago was arrested on Kainerugaba's orders as he was preparing to serve a court summons on the military chief. Lukwago's family had sought a court order compelling security officers to disclose his whereabouts, accusing them of abduction, especially after Kainerugaba shared photos appearing to show Lukwago blindfolded and stated he was proud of the pain he would inflict on him.

Kainerugaba has a history of controversial social media posts and has previously boasted of abducting and torturing opposition figures. Lukwago has been representing Besigye, who has been jailed on treason charges since being abducted and forcibly returned to Uganda in late 2024. Besigye, a long-standing opponent of President Museveni, has run against him in multiple presidential elections and has been detained numerous times.