Da Dona
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- Dec 16, 2025
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Former Kampala Lord Mayor and President of the People's Front for Freedom (PFF), Erias Lukwago, is expected to appear before a Kampala court on Wednesday after spending more than 48 hours in detention following his arrest by security operatives.
Lukwago was reportedly seized from his residence in Wakaliga on Monday morning by armed operatives and held at an undisclosed location, which Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, repeatedly referred to on social media as his "basement."
Authorities have now linked the veteran opposition politician and lawyer to the same treason case in which opposition leader Kizza Besigye is being prosecuted and has remained in detention for more than 500 days.
Speaking to the Daily Monitor on Wednesday morning, police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner of Police Rusoke Kituuma confirmed that Lukwago is being held at Kiira Division Police Station.
According to Kituuma, police are preparing to formally charge Lukwago before forwarding the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for review and sanction ahead of court proceedings.
"The charges being considered are treason and misprision of treason," Kituuma said.
Lukwago's arrest has sparked widespread condemnation from opposition leaders, lawyers, and human rights activists, who have questioned both the circumstances surrounding his detention and the legal basis for the charges.
Witnesses reported that security operatives entered Lukwago's bedroom at his Wakaliga home before taking him away in an operation that drew public outrage.
Meanwhile, Gen Muhoozi continued commenting on the matter through a series of posts on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday night. In one post, he appeared to dismiss claims that pressure from critics had influenced any decision regarding Lukwago's detention.
"Nothing has made me release Lukwago. No pressure from anywhere. I wanted to keep him in my basement forever! It is just Jesus Christ, the Bachwezi and Charlotte," he wrote.
Later, at around 10:06 p.m., the military chief posted another message declaring: "Lukwago will be in prison for a minimum of 10 years!"
Speaking to the Daily Monitor on Wednesday morning, police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner of Police Rusoke Kituuma confirmed that Lukwago is being held at Kiira Division Police Station.
According to Kituuma, police are preparing to formally charge Lukwago before forwarding the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for review and sanction ahead of court proceedings.
"The charges being considered are treason and misprision of treason," Kituuma said.
Lukwago's arrest has sparked widespread condemnation from opposition leaders, lawyers, and human rights activists, who have questioned both the circumstances surrounding his detention and the legal basis for the charges.
Witnesses reported that security operatives entered Lukwago's bedroom at his Wakaliga home before taking him away in an operation that drew public outrage.
Meanwhile, Gen Muhoozi continued commenting on the matter through a series of posts on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday night. In one post, he appeared to dismiss claims that pressure from critics had influenced any decision regarding Lukwago's detention.
"Nothing has made me release Lukwago. No pressure from anywhere. I wanted to keep him in my basement forever! It is just Jesus Christ, the Bachwezi and Charlotte," he wrote.
Later, at around 10:06 p.m., the military chief posted another message declaring: "Lukwago will be in prison for a minimum of 10 years!"
The comments came shortly after he had suggested that Lukwago's release was being considered following appeals from his wife, Charlotte Kainerugaba.
Gen Muhoozi also renewed his attacks on Dr Besigye, claiming in a Monday social media post that he would "hang" the veteran opposition leader if given the opportunity. He alleged that Besigye had once sought to kill President Yoweri Museveni and should face punishment.
Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate and longtime critic of President Museveni, is currently facing treason-related charges.
Lukwago serves as one of Besigye's defence lawyers and is also representing him in a separate legal case against Gen Muhoozi over social media posts that allegedly threatened Besigye's life.
Gen Muhoozi also renewed his attacks on Dr Besigye, claiming in a Monday social media post that he would "hang" the veteran opposition leader if given the opportunity. He alleged that Besigye had once sought to kill President Yoweri Museveni and should face punishment.
Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate and longtime critic of President Museveni, is currently facing treason-related charges.
Lukwago serves as one of Besigye's defence lawyers and is also representing him in a separate legal case against Gen Muhoozi over social media posts that allegedly threatened Besigye's life.
