Former Kampala Mayor and opposition People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) president Erias Lukwago was arrested at his residence in Wakaliga on Monday morning under circumstances that remain unclear.
Details surrounding the operation and any case linked to his arrest were not immediately available. Neither the police nor other security agencies had commented on the reported arrest by the time of publication.
Lukwago had been scheduled to appear for a television interview at his Kampala office but later opted to conduct it from his residence, according to sources close to him. He was also preparing to legally serve court documents on Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, according to his party, the PFF.
Boda boda riders in the neighbourhood said they noticed security operatives in the area as early as 6:00 a.m. They reported seeing one vehicle without number plates and another with registration plates, carrying an estimated eight people dressed in military uniforms and civilian clothing.
Witnesses told the Monitor that the operatives entered the premises by scaling the perimeter fence before moving inside the house of the opposition politician and lawyer. Lukwago is currently part of the defence team representing detained veteran opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye in his treason-related case.
Monitor journalist Ibrahim Kavuma, who was inside the house at the time of the arrest, said he heard operatives issuing loud commands to the ex-mayor’s wife and slamming doors as they demanded to know Lukwago’s whereabouts before he was later “captured.”
Operatives also momentarily seized devices from those found inside the house at the time.
In an apparent reference to the operation, Gen Muhoozi later posted on social media: “I have captured a FOOL and taken him to the basement!”
However, the Chief of Defence Forces did not identify the individual he was referring to, and it was not immediately clear whether the post was related to Lukwago’s reported arrest. The post remained online hours after the operation.
Lukwago’s party, the People’s Front for Freedom, has condemned the arrest, accusing the government of using security agencies to suppress political dissent.
“Instead of respecting the rule of law, the regime has chosen military might to shield themselves from legal accountability and choke the voices of democratic change,” the party said in a statement on X. “This is the height of state-sponsored lawlessness.”
The party added: “We want to send a clear message to the dictator and his tools of oppression: intimidation cannot and will not deter our resolve. You can blockade a house, but you cannot blockade the burning desire of millions of Ugandans fighting for freedom and democratic change.”
As of Monday afternoon, several key questions remained unanswered. No security agency had issued a statement confirming the arrest or explaining the legal basis for the operation. It was not clear whether Lukwago had been formally charged with any offence or whether he had been produced before a court.
The circumstances surrounding the operation could not be independently verified, and it remains unclear why military personnel would be involved in arresting a civilian opposition leader when police have jurisdiction over such matters.
Lukwago, a prominent lawyer and veteran opposition figure, has been a vocal critic of the government for years. His arrest is likely to draw condemnation from civil society organisations and diplomatic missions, as well as further strain relations between the government and opposition.
Lukwago’s legal team has not yet issued a statement, but it is expected that they will seek to establish his whereabouts, access him, and challenge the legality of his detention. If he is not produced in court within 48 hours, his lawyers may file an application for habeas corpus, demanding that the state justify his continued detention.
For now, the former Kampala mayor’s location and legal status remain unclear. His party has called on the public and the international community to demand his immediate release.
