Politics 16 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba Cedes to Pressure, Vows to Release Abducted Erias Lukwago
Following widespread domestic and international condemnation, Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba announced he would release former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, whom he had held in an undisclosed detention facility. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/muhoozi-bows-to-pressure-promises-to-release-abducted-ex-kampala-lord-mayor-erias-lukwago-5498182
In a significant turn of events, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has succumbed to mounting pressure and pledged to release veteran opposition politician Erias Lukwago.
Lukwago, the former Kampala Lord Mayor and a prominent lawyer, was reportedly abducted from his home on Monday morning by armed men in military attire. His disappearance sparked immediate outrage among civil society, legal bodies, and political organizations, both within Uganda and internationally.
Adding to the controversy, Gen. Muhoozi initially posted photos of a blindfolded Lukwago on social media platform X, further fueling public anger. This occurred just days after Lukwago had successfully obtained a court order compelling Gen. Muhoozi to address accusations of threatening to kill opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye.
Gen. Muhoozi’s eventual announcement of Lukwago’s release came via X, where he stated, “Today, I will release this IDIOT (Erias Lukwago) to police. I have run out of diapers. Never test me again! My beloved wife Charlotte has convinced me to release the criminal Lukwago. I will release him because of my love for her…I am a descendant of the Great Bachwezi! They will ALWAYS rule Uganda!”
The abduction and detention of Lukwago have amplified concerns about a pattern of “drone” van abductions in Uganda, which critics argue are part of a systematic state-sponsored kidnapping machinery. This echoes notorious periods of past regimes, with former Internal Affairs Minister Maj Gen (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire reportedly drawing parallels to the rule of Idi Amin.
The handling of the situation has drawn sharp criticism, with opposition leaders, including Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), accusing Gen. Muhoozi of disgracing the Uganda People’s Defence Forces. While Lukwago’s impending transfer to police custody offers some relief, the episode has intensified fears about the Ugandan security apparatus operating outside legal frameworks.