Elias Lukwago in detention
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I His continued detention which followed his arrest is a source of worry for Elias Lukwago’s supporters as fears mount that the former Kampala Lord Mayor’s life could be in danger following his dramatic arrest by military operatives and a series of alarming social media posts by Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Lukwago, who served as the Lord Mayor of Kampala for three consecutive terms (from 2011 until 2026), navigated persistent power struggles with central government authorities.
The growing concern stems from the manner in which Lukwago was arrested, the conditions under which he is reportedly being held, his fragile health condition, and the political circumstances surrounding his detention.
According to accounts from family members and political allies, armed operatives attached to the Special Forces Command (SFC) stormed Lukwago’s residence in Wakaliga on the morning of June 15. Witnesses say the soldiers scaled the perimeter wall before forcing their way into the house. During the operation, Lukwago’s wife was allegedly assaulted as she attempted to stop the officers from taking her husband away.
The former Lord Mayor was reportedly bundled into an unmarked Toyota HiAce van, commonly referred to as a “drone,” and driven to an undisclosed location without any publicly known arrest warrant or legal summons. The involvement of elite military personnel in the arrest of a civilian lawyer immediately raised concerns among legal professionals and human rights defenders.
However, it was events that followed the arrest that heightened fears for Lukwago’s safety.
Hours after the operation, Gen Muhoozi appeared to confirm the detention through posts on his X account. In one message, he wrote that he had “captured a fool and taken him to the basement.” The statement was followed by the publication of a photograph showing a visibly weakened Lukwago seated in what appeared to be a tiled room while blindfolded with a black-and-white cloth.
The image, captioned “Ongea Kiswahili” — meaning “Speak Swahili” — quickly spread across social media and triggered widespread condemnation.
Observers noted that Lukwago appeared frail and exhausted. Dressed in a white T-shirt, he sat with his hands clasped together, raising questions about his physical and mental condition while in custody.
The situation became even more alarming when the CDF later shared another photograph and claimed that Lukwago was pleading for mercy. Accompanying the image was a chilling message stating: “He keeps saying ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry’. It won’t help him now… We are going to finish it now.”
For many Ugandans, the statement was interpreted as a direct threat against the opposition lawyer’s life.
Concerns have been amplified by Lukwago’s well-documented medical history. The veteran politician has previously undergone extensive medical treatment abroad, including specialized spinal surgery in India to address a herniated disc. He has also received treatment in Kenya and has frequently appeared in public while battling recurring health complications.
Journalist Canary Mugume, who interviewed Lukwago on a television programme several months ago, recalled that the lawyer struggled throughout the discussion.
“He didn’t look well. He had difficulty in breathing and the interview took longer than expected because we stopped thrice to give him a break to catch his breath,” Mugume wrote on social media.
The revelation has intensified fears that detention in an undisclosed location without immediate access to medical personnel could pose a serious threat to Lukwago’s wellbeing.
Adding another layer to the controversy is Lukwago’s role as lead defence counsel for opposition figure Kizza Besigye, who is currently facing treason-related charges.
Only hours before his arrest, Lukwago had addressed journalists and revealed that his legal team was seeking to serve Gen Muhoozi with court papers in a human rights enforcement case. The petition challenges alleged threats made against Besigye and questions the legality of his 2024 arrest in Nairobi and subsequent transfer to Uganda.
In one of his social media posts, Muhoozi appeared to reference the court case directly, writing: “Please serve the papers and I’ll arrest both you and whoever serves them!”
Opposition politicians and lawyers have argued that the timing of Lukwago’s arrest is too significant to ignore. Some believe the operation was intended to frustrate ongoing legal efforts against the CDF.
The Uganda Law Society and several human rights organisations have since condemned the detention, describing it as an attack on the independence of the legal profession and the rule of law. They have demanded Lukwago’s immediate and unconditional release.
As of Monday evening, security agencies had not publicly explained the legal basis of the arrest, disclosed where Lukwago was being held, or confirmed whether he had access to lawyers, family members, or medical personnel.
With images of a blindfolded and visibly weakened Lukwago circulating widely, attention has shifted from the political implications of his arrest to a more urgent question: whether the opposition lawyer’s health and safety can be guaranteed while in military custody. For his supporters, that uncertainty is precisely what makes his continued detention so frightening.
