Uganda: Enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention of lawyer Erias Lukwago

UGA 003 / 0726 / OBS 033
Enforced disappearance /
Arbitrary arrest /
Arbitrary detention /
Judicial harassment
Uganda

9 July 2026

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Uganda.

Description of the situation:

The Observatory has been informed about the enforced disappearance and the arbitrary arrest and detention of Mr. Erias Lukwago, lawyer, human rights defender and President of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), well known for representing opposition figures and defending fundamental rights, including the rights to due process and a fair trial.

On 15 June 2026, heavily armed security operatives arrested Mr. Erias Lukwago at his residence in Wakaliga, a neighbourhood of Kampala, and took him to an undisclosed location. For more than 48 hours, his whereabouts remained unknown. During this period, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces and son of President Yoweri Museveni, repeatedly claimed responsibility for Mr. Lukwago’s detention through a series of posts on X, stating that he had "captured" him and taken him to his "basement".

On 17 June 2026, Mr. Lukwago was transferred to Kira Division Police Station in Wakiso District before being brought before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kampala, where he was formally charged with « misprision of treason », a criminal offence consisting of the alleged failure to report knowledge of plans to commit treason and punishable by life imprisonment under Section 25 of the Ugandan Penal Code. Mr. Lukwago denied the charge and has been remanded to Luzira Prison. On 7 July 2026, Mr. Lukwago’s application for bail filed on health grounds was rejected, and he remains in detention pending further proceedings.

Mr. Lukwago’s arrest occurred while he was acting as legal counsel for opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, who is currently facing treason charges. At the time of his arrest, Mr. Lukwago was also preparing to serve court documents on General Muhoozi Kainerugaba in separate legal proceedings brought on behalf of Dr. Besigye concerning repeated public death threats issued by the General through social media. Mr. Lukwago was arrested shortly before carrying out this procedural step.

The Observatory is further concerned that, on 22 June 2026, Kenyan lawyer and former Minister of Justice Ms. Martha Karua was denied entry into Uganda upon her arrival at Entebbe International Airport while she was travelling to Uganda to join the legal team representing Mr. Erias Lukwago in the proceedings against him.

The Observatory notes with deep concern that, following Mr. Lukwago’s arrest, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba continued publishing threatening statements on X, including: "I’m proud of ALL the hurt and pain I will inflict on the CRIMINAL LUKWAGO!", "Lukwago will be in prison for a minimum of 10 years!", and "He has been fighting me with Besigye for many decades. We are going to finish it now." Such statements seriously undermine the presumption of innocence, appear to interfere with the administration of justice, and reinforce concerns that the arrest and prosecution are politicaly motivated.

The Observatory recalls that Mr. Lukwago is a prominent lawyer who has long represented opposition leaders, journalists, human rights defenders and other individuals in politically sensitive cases involving the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. The Observatory expresses its utmost concern that his arbitrary arrest, detention and prosecution appear to be directly linked to his legitimate professional activities as a lawyer and his human rights work.

The Observatory further recalls that another of Dr. Besigye’s lawyers, Mr. Eron Kiiza, was arbitrarily arrested in January 2025, convicted by a military court for alleged contempt of court and sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment before being released on bail in February 2025. These successive incidents raise serious concerns about an emerging pattern of intimidation and judicial harassment targeting lawyers representing opposition figures in Uganda.

The Observatory condemns the enforced desappearance, arbitrary arrest and detention and the judicial harassment of Mr. Erias Lukwago, which appear to be solely aimed at punishing him for his legitimate activities as a lawyer. The Observatory further condemns the public threats and statements made by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba before and after Mr. Lukwago’s arrest, which raise serious concerns regarding the independence of the proceedings against him and the respect for the rule of law in Uganda.

The Observatory urges the Ugandan authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Erias Lukwago, drop all charges against him, and guarantee in all circumstances that lawyers and human rights defenders in Uganda are able to carry out their legitimate activities without fear of reprisals, intimidation or judicial harassment.