Lukwago's alleged abduction fuels rule of law concerns in Uganda

Recent allegations of the abduction of former Kampala Lord Mayor and senior lawyer Erias Lukwago have intensified concerns among human rights defenders regarding Uganda’s adherence to the rule of law. Activists point to a disturbing trend of arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions, and excessive force by security agencies, arguing that these actions, if unchecked, risk further eroding fundamental rights and freedoms.

The silence from the Judiciary in the face of recurring human rights violations has also drawn criticism. Experts suggest that a failure to enforce constitutional safeguards could normalize impunity and erode public trust in state institutions. The incident involving Mr. Lukwago, which occurred shortly after he participated in court proceedings related to an application filed by Opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye, has been particularly scrutinized, especially after Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba posted about it on social media.

Human rights activist Agather Atuhaire described the event as a worrying indicator of a growing disregard for legal protections. She emphasized that if individuals face abduction and mistreatment for condemning injustice or performing their professional duties, the future generations face a grim prospect. She urged legal professionals to actively defend their rights and the independence of their profession.

Echoing these sentiments, Dr. Livingstone Sewanyana, Executive Director of the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative, stated that Uganda’s laws on arrest and detention are clear, but their implementation is inconsistent. He noted that the repeated occurrence of arbitrary arrests suggests a lack of serious government commitment to addressing human rights issues. Sarah Bireete, Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance, called upon President Museveni to uphold his constitutional duty to protect citizens’ rights.

Concerns were also raised by Margaret Nattabi and Flavia Ramto, who highlighted that continuous arrests of activists and critics may discourage public participation and weaken freedom of expression. Lawyer Eron Kiiza condemned the incident as an attack on legal practitioners and the right to legal representation, characterizing it as a criminalization of legal work.

These developments are seen as a critical test for Uganda’s Judiciary, Parliament, and Executive in demonstrating their commitment to constitutionalism and the protection of civil liberties for its citizens.