KAMPALA – Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has sparked widespread criticism after posting a series of messages on X in which he threatened to hang detained opposition leader and lawyer Erias Lukwago, while claiming he would release him only if the Kabaka of Buganda personally requested his freedom.
In a series of posts published over the weekend, Gen. Muhoozi referred to Lukwago as “my prisoner” and wrote: “If my uncle the Kabaka requests me to release my prisoner… Lukwago. I will do it.”
In another post, he added: “If no such request comes through then we will HANG Lukwago like his Boss Besigye.”
The army chief also dismissed reports that Lukwago was unwell while in detention, writing: “Lukwago can be as SICK as he can pretend! He is going NOWHERE! If he wants to die, I will take responsibility.”
Gen. Muhoozi further mocked the former Kampala Lord Mayor, describing him as “an easy job” and saying he would only release him “when I’m ready.”
The remarks come nearly two weeks after Lukwago, who serves as a lawyer for opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye, was arrested by security personnel at his home in Kampala. Lukwago was later charged with misprision of treason, an offence that involves allegedly failing to report knowledge of treason, and was remanded to prison after denying the charge.
According to Reuters, Lukwago’s arrest followed his legal representation of Besigye in a separate case in which the opposition politician sued Gen. Muhoozi over repeated threats made against his life on social media.
Reuters also reported that Lukwago’s lawyers alleged he collapsed while in detention after being subjected to strenuous physical drills.
Gen. Muhoozi’s latest comments are the latest in a series of controversial social media posts targeting opposition figures.
Reuters has previously reported that he has made repeated threats against Dr. Besigye and opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), statements that have drawn concern from human rights organizations and legal observers.
The reference to the Kabaka of Buganda, whom Gen. Muhoozi described as “my uncle,” has also attracted attention. In another post, he wrote that “Anyone who dares to touch him touches me,” while reaffirming his admiration for the Buganda monarch.
Neither Lukwago’s legal team nor the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) had publicly responded to Gen. Muhoozi’s latest statements by the time of publication.
Human rights groups and legal bodies have previously criticized Lukwago’s arrest, arguing that it raises concerns about due process and the independence of the legal profession. The Uganda Law Society condemned his arrest earlier this month, while international media have highlighted growing concerns over the use of social media by senior military officials to comment on ongoing legal matters.
The latest posts come amid heightened political tensions in Uganda following the 2026 General Election and have renewed debate over the relationship between military authority, the judiciary and political opposition.
