The Uganda Law Society (ULS) is demanding an immediate and unconditional release of former Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, who was on Monday morning abducted by armed men from his home in Wakaliga.
Addressing journalists in Kampala on Monday, ULS Acting Secretary General, Babu Ssali, described the incident as an attack on the legal fraternity and the rule of law, demanding that Mr Lukwago, who is also Acting President for People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party and lawyer for Kiiza Besigye, who is in jail for treason, be released within 24-hours.
‘An attack on one advocate is an attack on the entire bar and on the rule of law itself, he said
Mr Lukwago was abducted by unknown armed men and whisked away in two white Toyota Hiace vehicles commonly known as drones, just hours after he raised an alarm on his social media pages regarding a security presence at his home.
Mr Sali threatened to take legal redress if their demands are not met within the set period.
‘If the demands are not met within 24 hours, we have set up a team which is going to be led by the rule of law committee that will seek redress and recourse both domestically and internationally, and this will be against the CDF personally in this capacity,’ he said
They also called for full disclosure of Lukwago’s whereabouts and immediate access granted to ULS representatives and his family.
The ULS is also demanding immediate intervention by the Chief Justice and the Attorney General to guarantee the security of all advocates, judges and litigants under Article 128.1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and to ensure that the trial proceeds without further military interference.
The society noted that it was considering escalation of the matter to international legal platforms, including the International Criminal Court, if the alleged violations persist.
ULS further accused security agencies of cultivating a climate of fear around the legal profession, citing previous incidents involving advocates Eron Kiiza, Caleb Alaka and Kato Tumusiime, whom it said faced intimidation while representing clients in politically sensitive matters.
‘Any continued pattern of such behaviour shall be viewed as a direct assault on the rule of law and constitutional order, and shall attract command responsibility consequences for you personally under Uganda law and international law,’ it noted.
Kenyan lawyer Karua speaks out
The developments have also drawn concern from Kenyan senior counsel Martha Karua, who is part of the legal team representing opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye and his aide Obeid Lutale in an ongoing human rights case before the High Court.
Ms Karua linked Lukwago’s arrest to his role in the case, saying the lawyer had sought court summons to facilitate service of legal documents on Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, one of the respondents in the matter.
“It is suggesting that General Muhoozi is above the law. The Constitution of Uganda clearly states nobody is above the law because any action targeting a lawyer for serving in the courtonli process amounts to direct interference with the administration of justice,’ she noted.
She further highlighted that detaining defence counsel mid-trial for attempting to serve court documents strikes at the heart of the right to a fair hearing under Article 28(3)(d).
‘A trial without counsel is no trial at all. The military has no mandate to arrest, detain or threaten lawyers appearing before civilian courts. This action further violates Articles 20, 40(2) and 221 of the Constitution, as well as the UN Basic Principles on the role of lawyers,’ Ms Karua added.
What we know
Armed security operatives on Monday morning raided the Wakaliga home of prominent human rights lawyer and former Kampala Lord Mayor, Advocate Erias Lukwago, violently arresting him just hours after he revealed difficulties in serving court process to the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
The arrest sent shockwaves through the country’s political landscape, drawing fierce and unified condemnation from across the opposition divide.
The operation, which unfolded at approximately 10am, occurred shortly after Lukwago had concluded a press briefing at his residence.
His wife, Nalngo Zawedde Lubwama Lukwago, said security personnel wearing uniforms belonging to elite Special Forces Command (SFC) scaled the perimeter wall to gain entry into the compound, and picked him from the bedroom.
She further alleged that plainclothes operatives, suspected to be the commander of the unit, assaulted her when she attempted to intercede.
Just hours before his arrest, Lukwago informed the press that his team was actively struggling to serve Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba with a human rights enforcement lawsuit filed by Besigye.
The suit stems from allegations that Gen Muhoozi made explicit death threats against the jailed opposition leader.