Former Kampala Lord Mayor and leader of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), Erias Lukwago, was expected to appear before a Kampala court on Wednesday following his controversial detention that stretched beyond two days after he was reportedly picked up by armed security operatives from his home in Wakaliga.
His arrest, which occurred on Monday, sparked widespread criticism from opposition figures, legal practitioners, and human rights advocates, many of whom questioned the legality and transparency of his detention.
The circumstances surrounding where he was held initially also remained unclear, although senior military officials made repeated references to an undisclosed holding place in public commentary.
By Wednesday morning, new information indicated that authorities had linked Lukwago to an ongoing prosecution involving opposition leader Kizza Besigye, who has been in detention for an extended period facing serious charges related to national security.
Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke confirmed that Lukwago was being held at Kiira Division Police in Wakiso District. He further noted that investigations were still ongoing and that formal charges, expected to include treason and misprision of treason, were being prepared for review by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions before being presented in court.
Access to Lukwago at the police facility was reportedly restricted, with only his legal representative, lawyer Medard Lubega Sseggona, permitted to meet him at the time. Close family members, including his wife, were initially denied entry as authorities maintained tight control over visitation pending further instructions.
The arrest followed a dramatic security operation on Monday morning in which operatives allegedly entered Lukwago’s residence and took him into custody without prior public notice, an action that has intensified political tensions and debate over due process.
In the aftermath, Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba made a series of posts on social media addressing the detention. In one of the statements, he suggested Lukwago could face a lengthy prison sentence, while earlier remarks appeared to describe the holding location in highly informal terms, triggering further public debate.
In a separate development, Muhoozi also issued a strongly worded message targeting Besigye, alleging past hostile intentions toward his family and stating that he would face severe consequences if convicted. The comments have drawn renewed attention to the already tense political environment surrounding opposition figures and their legal teams.
Lukwago, who is part of Besigye’s defence team in ongoing proceedings, also represents him in a separate legal matter involving alleged threats arising from earlier social media exchanges with the military leadership. The latest developments have further complicated an already high-profile legal and political dispute involving senior opposition actors and state authorities.
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