Call for Release of Ugandan Opposition Leader and Lawyer Erias Lukwago

Erias Lukwago, a Ugandan opposition leader and lawyer, was reportedly abducted from his home on June 15, 2026, by armed security personnel, allegedly military. His family was not informed of his whereabouts or the reason for his arrest. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, subsequently posted on social media acknowledging Lukwago’s capture and threatening him, suggesting a prolonged imprisonment.

On June 18, 2026, Lukwago was presented before a magistrate’s court in Kampala and charged with failing to report an alleged treason-related plot from 2021-2024. Prosecutors connected his case to opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, whom Lukwago had represented as legal counsel. Besigye was forcibly returned to Uganda from Kenya in November 2024, a move widely condemned as transnational repression, and has since faced treason charges.

ARTICLE 19 is particularly concerned that Lukwago's arrest targets him for his professional duties as a lawyer representing a prominent opposition figure. This action undermines judicial independence and access to justice. The arrest is seen within a broader context of increasing restrictions on civic space in Uganda, including harassment of opposition leaders, journalists, and human rights defenders, which creates a climate of fear and discourages political participation.

The use of social media by senior public officials to celebrate arrests, threaten detainees, and comment on legal outcomes is alarming. Such conduct undermines the presumption of innocence, erodes confidence in the judiciary, and sends a chilling message to citizens. These actions raise concerns about transparency, accountability, and the abuse of state power, violating rights to freedom of expression, association, liberty, and a fair trial guaranteed under Ugandan and international law.

ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa demands that Ugandan authorities fully respect Erias Lukwago’s rights, including due process, access to legal representation, medical care, and protection from arbitrary detention and ill-treatment. They also urge an end to the harassment of lawyers, journalists, opposition leaders, and human rights defenders, and call for an enabling environment where individuals can freely exercise their fundamental rights without fear of retaliation.