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A court in Uganda has denied bail to opposition politician and lawyer Erias Lukwago, who has been charged with complicity in treason, after the country’s army chief and the president’s son boasted about abducting him.
Lukwago was charged with failing to report an alleged treason-related plot said to have been hatched in neighbouring Kenya between 2021 and 2024. He appeared in court last week and could face life imprisonment if convicted.
The prominent lawyer represents Kizza Besigye, one of President Yoweri Museveni’s main political rivals, who is also facing treason charges.
Besigye has been detained since late 2024 after being allegedly abducted in Kenya and forcibly returned to Uganda.
Lukwago’s case has been linked with that of his client. He, however, denied the charges in court.
“I am the one who has been counsel in that case. How could I be counsel in a case I am involved in?” he told the court.
His lawyers had requested bail on medical grounds, but a judge rejected the application, according to a ruling seen by AFP on Tuesday.
The court ordered that Lukwago be taken to hospital within 24 hours for a “full medical evaluation” and possible treatment.
Lukwago’s family said he was abducted by security forces last week.
Tensions escalated after Uganda’s army chief and President Museveni’s son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, posted images of Lukwago blindfolded at an undisclosed location.
“I’m proud of ALL the hurt and pain I will inflict on the CRIMINAL LUKWAGO!” he wrote on X.
Kainerugaba, who has a history of controversial online statements, has previously boasted about abducting and torturing opposition figures.
Lukwago’s lawyer, Medard Ssegona, alleged that his client had been subjected to torture.
“His health situation is not any better. It gets worse day by day,” he said.
Another of his lawyers, Martha Karua, said she was arrested and deported upon arriving in Uganda to support her client.
However, Kainerugaba claimed on X that he personally ordered her deportation, writing: “I deported her myself. She’s no longer allowed in our country.”
