Security operatives yesterday handed over former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago to Kira Division Police Station, a day after he was reportedly picked up from his home by security personnel and taken to an unknown location.
Mr Lukwago, who is also the leader of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) and lead lawyer in the treason case involving former presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye, was later detained on charges of misprision of treason, which he denies. A detective at Kira Police Station told this publication that Mr Lukwago was delivered to the station shortly before dawn under heavy security.
‘A UPDF vehicle dropped off Lukwago at the station at about 5:40am. He was handed over to the officer on standby before senior police commanders were called in to oversee the recording of his statement,’ the detective said. According to the source, Mr Lukwago was kept in a separate office and allowed access to his phone, through which he contacted his lawyers.
Police speak
Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke confirmed the detention. I can confirm that Lukwago was dropped at Kira Police Station this morning, where he is being held on charges of misprision of treason,’ Mr Rusoke said. he offence of misprision of treason relates to failure to report knowledge of treasonous activities to the relevant authorities. Mr Lukwago’s detention follows his arrest on Monday by armed security personnel who raided his home in Wakaliga, a Kampala suburb, and took him to an undisclosed location.
His whereabouts remained unknown for several hours until the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, posted on his official X account indicating that Mr Lukwago was in military custody.
Security sources yesterday claimed that investigators are examining allegations linking Mr Lukwago to meetings in which plans to overthrow the government were allegedly discussed. he sources further alleged that some of the meetings took place in Kampala, Nairobi and Athens and involved discussions on mobilisation and fundraising activities. However, no formal evidence had been presented in court by press time.
Mr Lukwago’s family members, political allies and friends were initially denied access to him at Kira Police Station. Ms Doreen Nyanjura, a former Kampala Capital City Authority deputy lord mayor, said police officers informed her that only Mr Lukwago’s legal counsel would be allowed to see him. I told them I wanted to see my boss, but they informed me that only his lawyer was allowed access while he recorded his statement,’ Ms Nyanjura said.
His lawyer, Mr Medard Lubega Sseggona, was later granted access to him. Several Opposition figures criticised the manner of Mr Lukwago’s arrest, saying it is an abduction rather than a lawful arrest because authorities did not immediately disclose his whereabouts.