Erias Lukwago, a former Mayor of Budo and a lawyer who represents the detained opposition figure Kizza Besigye, was arrested in Kampala early this week and now faces a treason‑related charge. Lukwago appeared before the magistrate's court in a visibly weakened state, while local media reported that his arrest followed a social‑media boast by Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the army chief and son of President Yoweri Museveni.
The proceedings highlight the growing use of the legal system to deter dissent among Uganda’s indigenous communities, many of whom rely on legal counsel to protect ancestral lands, cultural heritage and traditional healing practices. Lukwago denied the accusation of failing to report treason, and was remanded to prison until next week. His family has filed a petition demanding the release of security officers who allegedly abducted him in trip to a secret detention site.
Besigye, a long‑time political rival of the Museveni regime and former personal physician to the president, has been jailed on treason charges since his 2024 return from Kenya where he was detained. His legal defence, represented by Lukwago, has faced repeated obstacles, reflecting the wider clampdown on the opposition and the cultural custodians who often serve as community activists. The case underscores how the state’s crackdowns can erode the safeguards that preserve the transmission of indigenous wisdom and land stewardship.
The international community, including rights groups, has expressed alarm at the opaque legal proceedings and the potential chilling effect on the protection of cultural heritage. As the trial progresses, the plight of Lukwago and his support for Besigye brings to light the precarious position of lawyers and indigenous leaders confronting powerful state institutions.
