X @HRF

Africa (Uganda) – June 18, 2026

HRF condemns the Ugandan regime’s imprisonment of prominent opposition lawyer and politician Erias Lukwago following his abduction and torture orchestrated by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga, the country’s military chief and erratic son of dictator Yoweri Museveni. Lukwago went from being a kidnapped hostage of Kainerubaga to being a political prisoner in the formal legal system simply for discharging his duties as a lead defense attorney of jailed veteran opposition leader Kizza Besigye. HRF calls for Lukwago’s immediate release and an end to a grotesque pileup of power abuse and a brazen assault on the rule of law.

Lukwago, former mayor of the capital Kampala, emerged on Wednesday in police custody after enduring abduction and torture orchestrated by Kainerubaga for seeking to serve legal summons on the latter on behalf of Besigye, who has been dragged through a politically-motivated treason show trial.

Lukwago was subsequently driven from Kira Division Police Headquarters to the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kampala. He was charged with misprision of treason, a charge indicating public prosecutors’ attempt to turn Lukwago into a defendant alongside his client Besigye. Lukwago denied the charges. He was remanded to Luzira Prison until June 22.

Lukwago’s lawyer Medard Lubega Sseggon has expressed concerns about Lukwago’s health since his abduction.

How can we help?

Hit enter to search or ESC to close

Email Us

Join the cause by subscribing to our newsletter.