KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has sparked widespread condemnation after posting a series of messages on social media appearing to confirm the detention of opposition politician and lawyer Erias Lukwago, hours after the former Kampala Lord Mayor was seized from his home by security operatives.
Lukwago, who serves as President of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) and is one of the lead lawyers representing veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, was reportedly arrested from his residence in Wakaliga, Kampala, in the early hours of Monday morning.
Following reports of the arrest, Gen. Kainerugaba published a string of posts on X, formerly Twitter, referring to an unnamed individual he described as a “fool” who had been taken to a “basement.”
“I have captured a FOOL and taken him to the basement! Ongea Kiswahili,” Gen. Kainerugaba posted.
In subsequent messages, he added: “This one will learn Kiswahili,” and, “We are still warming up the fool. Pictures soon.”
Later, the army chief escalated his remarks, writing: “He keeps saying ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry’. It won’t help him now.”
In another post, Kainerugaba declared: “I’m proud of ALL the hurt and pain I will inflict on the CRIMINAL LUKWAGO!”
The remarks were accompanied by a photograph shared on his account showing a blindfolded man whom opposition figures identified as Lukwago. The image quickly circulated across social media platforms, drawing criticism from lawyers, opposition supporters, and human rights activists.
The arrest came amid an ongoing legal dispute involving Lukwago and Gen. Kainerugaba. According to opposition leaders, Lukwago had been preparing to serve court summons on the military chief in relation to a case connected to the alleged abduction and detention of Dr. Besigye.
The People’s Front for Freedom earlier accused state operatives of abducting its executive chairman and taking him to an unknown location.
“We wish to inform the general public and all freedom-loving Ugandans that our executive chairman Counsel Erias Lukwago has been abducted by state operatives and taken to an unknown destination,” the party said in a statement.
National Unity Platform president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, condemned both the arrest and the subsequent social media posts.
“Uganda in 2026! Museveni’s son just released a picture of his captive, Advocate Erias Lukwago. Blind folded! His crime? Attempting to serve him court summons!” Bobi Wine posted on X.
“If he can do this to an outgoing Lord Mayor of Uganda’s capital city, former MP, and senior lawyer, imagine what he does to our ordinary supporters who are abducted day in, day out.”
The opposition leader further accused the government of presiding over systematic human rights abuses and called for international attention to the incident.
The Uganda Law Society and several legal practitioners also expressed concern over reports of Lukwago’s detention, arguing that any individual accused of wrongdoing should be processed through established legal procedures and granted access to legal representation.
Gen. Kainerugaba also used his social media account to renew attacks on Dr. Besigye, posting: “Let me say it again! I will HANG Kizza Besigye the first chance I get to do it! He wanted to kill my father and he will not escape the punishment that he richly deserves!!”
The comments are likely to intensify debate over the conduct of senior security officials and the use of social media by state actors, particularly in politically sensitive matters.
By Monday evening, government and military authorities had not issued a formal statement explaining the legal basis for Lukwago’s arrest, his place of detention, or whether any criminal charges had been filed against him.
His whereabouts and condition remained unclear, with family members, lawyers, and opposition leaders demanding immediate access to him and calling for his release or prompt presentation before a competent court.
