Ugandan security forces have arrested Erias Lukwago, a lawyer representing opposition leader Kizza Besigye, who is facing treason charges. The arrest was announced by the People's Front for Freedom party, which stated Lukwago was abducted by state operatives.
The arrest of a prominent opposition lawyer raises concerns about political repression and the rule of law in Uganda, potentially escalating tensions between the government and opposition factions.
Ugandan security forces have arrested Erias Lukwago, a senior opposition figure and lawyer representing detained People's Front for Freedom party leader Kizza Besigye, who is on trial for treason. The PFF party announced the arrest on Monday, stating that Lukwago was abducted by state operatives and taken to an unknown destination.
Lukwago, formerly the mayor of Kampala, also represents Besigye in a case suing military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba for alleged threats on social media. Kainerugaba, son of President Yoweri Museveni, is known for incendiary social media posts. Bobi Wine, a prominent opposition figure now in exile in the United States, claimed on X that soldiers acting on Kainerugaba's orders had seized Lukwago as he was preparing to serve court papers on the military chief.
Kainerugaba had vowed on X to arrest anyone attempting to serve him court papers and stated he had "captured a fool and taken him to the basement." He later shared an image resembling Lukwago and expressed pride in the "hurt and pain" he would inflict on "the criminal Lukwago." In May 2025, Kainerugaba had made a similar threat regarding a missing opposition official.
Reuters could not independently verify these claims. Spokespeople for the Ugandan military and police did not respond to Reuters' calls for comment.