“We have learnt of the abduction of former Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago,” Centenary said. “We stand firmly against extrajudicial arrests, abductions, and any form of enforced disappearance. If he has a case to answer, let him be arraigned before a court of law and let due process be followed.” Lukwago, a senior lawyer and president of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), was picked up by security operatives from his residence in Wakaliga on Monday morning under circumstances that remained unclear, with authorities yet to publicly explain the reasons for his arrest.
Centenary argued that the incident was politically motivated and linked it to ongoing legal proceedings involving FDC founding president Dr. Kizza Besigye, in whose defence team Lukwago has been playing a prominent role. “We all know that this is politically motivated because the trial of our founding party president, Kizza Besigye, was meant to have commenced last week if the Judiciary had not exposed its incompetence. Therefore, the government will not be comfortable because it is going to be exposed even more,” he said. He further accused the state of undermining the justice system through intimidation of lawyers and litigants.
“In our opinion, this is an attack on the judicial system and on the rights of citizens of this country who are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Government should allow the course of the law to take its natural path.” “Stop intimidating the lawyers, stop intimidating the suspects and citizens of this country. Let the law lead the entire process,” Centenary added.
The FDC remarks come amid heightened political tensions surrounding the prosecution of veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused. Lukwago, one of Besigye’s lead defence lawyers, has in recent weeks challenged the commencement of the treason trial, arguing that the court must first determine pending applications concerning alleged violations of the accused persons’ constitutional rights and requests for bail before the substantive hearing proceeds.
Separately, Lukwago has also been involved in legal proceedings arising from an application in which Besigye accuses Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba of making public statements that allegedly threatened his life and prejudiced his right to a fair trial. Last week, the High Court directed the CDF and other respondents to file their defence to the application before the matter proceeds to a hearing.
The former Lord Mayor’s latest arrest has fuelled concerns among opposition leaders that the action is connected to his legal representation of Besigye, although security agencies had not publicly commented on the circumstances surrounding his detention by Monday afternoon. Opposition leaders and civil society actors have repeatedly criticised the use of arrests and prolonged detentions against political figures, arguing that suspects should be charged in open court and accorded all constitutional safeguards rather than being subjected to unexplained detentions.
As of Monday, Lukwago’s whereabouts and the specific offences, if any, for which he was being held remained unknown. The Leader of Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, said on his X account that “it’s always darkest before the dawn. This madness shall end!” Mathias Mpuuga, the president of the Democratic Front, said Lukwago’s arrest is disturbing, but most worrying is the increasing use of the military in political and civic matters. “This is unacceptable for it undermines the rule of law, and fuels fear and intimidation.”-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
