KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has come under sharp criticism after posting a series of messages and images on social media apparently mocking detained opposition lawyer and former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago following his arrest by security operatives.
Lukwago, who serves as President of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) and is a member of the legal team representing opposition veteran Dr. Kizza Besigye, was taken from his residence in Wakaliga, Kampala, during an early morning security operation on Monday.
Witnesses said operatives believed to be attached to the Special Forces Command (SFC) surrounded the residence before entering the premises and taking Lukwago to an undisclosed location.
Hours later, Gen. Kainerugaba posted photographs and video clips on his X account showing a blindfolded man widely identified as Lukwago. In one of the posts, the military chief captioned the image with the words, “Ongea Kiswahili” (Speak Swahili).
The army commander subsequently published a series of remarks appearing to reference Lukwago’s detention.
“I have captured a FOOL and taken him to the basement! Ongea Kiswahili,” Gen. Kainerugaba wrote.
In other posts, he stated: “This one will learn Kiswahili,” “He has urinated like three times already,” and “We are still warming up the fool. Pictures soon.”
Later, he escalated the rhetoric, posting: “He keeps saying ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry’. It won’t help him now.”
In another message, he referred to Lukwago as a criminal and declared: “I’m proud of ALL the hurt and pain I will inflict on the CRIMINAL LUKWAGO!”
The posts sparked widespread condemnation from opposition leaders, lawyers, and human rights activists, who questioned the legality of the detention and the conduct of the country’s top military officer.
The arrest came amid an ongoing legal dispute involving Gen. Kainerugaba and members of Dr. Besigye’s legal team. Opposition figures said Lukwago had been involved in efforts to serve court summons on the army chief in connection with a case relating to alleged threats against Besigye and broader human rights concerns.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, accused the government of undermining the rule of law.
“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 said in a statement posted on social media.
“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 People’s Front for Freedom also condemned the arrest, describing it as an abduction by state operatives and demanding Lukwago’s immediate release.
The Uganda Law Society expressed concern about reports surrounding the lawyer’s detention and called for adherence to constitutional and legal safeguards, including access to legal representation and due process.
Family members said Lukwago was taken without being allowed to collect personal belongings, including medication, raising concerns about his welfare while in detention.
His wife reportedly described the operation as reminiscent of Uganda’s past periods of political repression and appealed to authorities to disclose his whereabouts.
The incident has renewed debate over the role of the military in civilian affairs and the increasing use of social media by senior security officials to comment on politically sensitive matters.
As of Tuesday, authorities had not publicly announced any charges against Lukwago, and his legal team continued to demand information regarding his place of detention and access to him.
The developments come at a time of heightened political tensions surrounding the detention and prosecution of Dr. Kizza Besigye, one of Uganda’s most prominent opposition figures, and are likely to intensify scrutiny of the relationship between security agencies and opposition actors ahead of the new parliamentary term.
