Erias Lukwago Out of Muhoozi Basement, Detained at Kiira Police Station as Treason Charges Await Him in Court

KAMPALA, Uganda — After days of uncertainty surrounding his whereabouts and condition, opposition leader, former lord mayor of Kampala, People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) president and senior lawyer Erias Lukwago has resurfaced in state custody, with supporters confirming that he is being held at Kiira Division Police Headquarters following a dramatic military operation that sparked outrage across Uganda’s political landscape.

The latest update came on Wednesday morning from People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) leader and Deputy Lord Mayor Emeritus Doreen Nyanjura, who revealed that Lukwago was no longer in the custody that Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba had previously described as his “basement.”

“We are at Kira Division police Headquarters where Salongo Erias Lukwago is currently being held, counsel Segona has been allowed to access him. The rest of us have been blocked,” Nyanjura posted on X.

The statement marked the first publicly confirmed indication of Lukwago’s location since his arrest by heavily armed security operatives earlier this week.

His detention has rapidly evolved into one of the most politically charged incidents in recent months, drawing condemnation from opposition leaders, lawyers, and activists who argue that the arrest represents an assault on the rule of law and the independence of legal representation in Uganda.

Lukwago, the former Kampala Lord Mayor and president of the People’s Front for Freedom, was abducted on June 15 from his home in Wakaliga by soldiers believed to be attached to the Special Forces Command (SFC).

According to accounts from family members, armed men stormed the residence in the early hours, forced their way into the bedroom, and demanded that Lukwago surrender his mobile phone before taking him away.

His wife, Zawedde Lubwama Lukwago, later described the operation as frightening and traumatic for the family.

The arrest occurred at a politically sensitive moment.

Lukwago had been at the center of legal efforts involving veteran opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye, whom he represents as lead counsel in a case that has attracted national and international attention. He was also reportedly preparing to serve legal documents on Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba before his arrest.

What followed only intensified public scrutiny.

Gen. Kainerugaba took to social media to publicly acknowledge Lukwago’s detention. In a series of posts that quickly spread across Ugandan social media platforms, the army chief shared photographs showing a blindfolded Lukwago and claimed that the opposition politician was being held in his basement.

The CDF further stated that Lukwago was “learning Kiswahili” while in detention, remarks that drew criticism from opposition leaders and rights advocates who questioned the legality of the detention and the public treatment of a lawyer who had not appeared before any court.

For days, supporters demanded information regarding Lukwago’s whereabouts.

Wednesday’s revelation that he is now being held at Kiira Police Station has provided some answers but has also raised fresh questions about the legal process that awaits him.

Counsel Medard Segona, one of Lukwago’s lawyers and longtime political ally, was reportedly granted access to the detainee. However, other supporters, family members, and political colleagues were denied entry to the facility, according to Nyanjura.

The restricted access has fueled concerns among supporters who have repeatedly demanded assurances regarding Lukwago’s health and treatment while in custody.

Outside the police station, tension remained high as some party members and supporters gathered seeking updates on his condition and legal status.

The case has become deeply intertwined with broader political tensions involving the opposition, the military, and the government.

Lukwago is not only one of Uganda’s most recognizable opposition leaders but also one of the country’s most experienced lawyers. Over the years, he has represented numerous political figures and frequently challenged government actions through the courts.

His detention therefore carries significance beyond his personal circumstances.

Within opposition circles, many view the arrest as a direct warning to lawyers and legal practitioners involved in politically sensitive cases.

Attention is now turning to the charges that Lukwago may face.

While authorities had not publicly released formal charge sheets by Wednesday morning, growing speculation within political and legal circles suggests that treason-related charges could be brought against him when he eventually appears before court.

Officials have yet to formally confirm those allegations.

Nevertheless, the possibility of treason charges has already generated intense debate because of the gravity of the offence under Ugandan law.

The anticipated court appearance is expected to attract significant public attention, particularly given Lukwago’s role as legal counsel to Besigye, who is himself facing treason charges arising from events linked to his controversial transfer from Kenya to Uganda in late 2024.

For supporters of the opposition, the parallel has not gone unnoticed.

Leaders from the People’s Front for Freedom, as well as politicians from other opposition formations including the National Unity Platform and the Forum for Democratic Change, have accused the government of using security agencies to intimidate dissenting voices.

Government officials and security agencies have consistently maintained that arrests and prosecutions are conducted within the framework of the law.

As Uganda awaits clarity on the charges and legal proceedings ahead, the image of one of the country’s most prominent lawyers moving from what Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba publicly described as his “basement” to a police detention facility has become the latest symbol of a political confrontation that continues to deepen.

For now, one fact is clear: Erias Lukwago is no longer missing.

He is in police custody at Kiira Division Headquarters, his lawyers have finally gained access to him, and the next chapter of a saga that has gripped Uganda’s political establishment is expected to unfold in court.

It should be remembered that Lukwago’s wife likened Muhoozi’s rule to Idi Amin’s reign of terror as she narrated how her husband was grabbed from their bedroom. (See Details Here and There).