Ugandan opposition lawyer arrested, faces treason charges

Ugandan security forces have arrested Erias Lukwago, a prominent opposition figure and lawyer representing detained People’s Front for Freedom party leader Kizza Besigye, who is currently on trial for treason. The PFF party announced Lukwago's abduction from his home, stating he was taken to an unknown destination by state operatives.

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We wish to inform the general public … that our executive chairman, Counsel Erias Lukwago has been abducted by state operatives and taken to an unknown destination.

Lukwago, formerly the mayor of the Ugandan capital Kampala, also represents Besigye in a separate case. In this suit, Besigye is suing Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the country’s military chief and son of President Yoweri Museveni, for repeatedly threatening his life on social media.

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We wish to inform the general public … that our executive chairman, Counsel Erias Lukwago has been abducted by state operatives and taken to an unknown destination.

Bobi Wine, a major opposition figure and pop singer who is currently in exile, claimed on X that soldiers acting under Kainerugaba’s orders seized Lukwago as he prepared to serve court summons to the military chief. Reuters could not independently verify these claims, and spokespeople for the Ugandan military and police did not respond to requests for comment.

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We wish to inform the general public … that our executive chairman, Counsel Erias Lukwago has been abducted by state operatives and taken to an unknown destination.

Kainerugaba has a history of making inflammatory social media posts. He recently vowed on X to arrest anyone attempting to serve him court papers, stating he had "captured a fool and taken him to the basement." He later shared an image resembling Lukwago and expressed pride in inflicting pain on "the criminal Lukwago."

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We wish to inform the general public … that our executive chairman, Counsel Erias Lukwago has been abducted by state operatives and taken to an unknown destination.