Fears grow over Lukwago’s health after blindfolded detention photo emerges online

By Our Reporter

Public concern over the welfare of Kampala Lord Mayor and opposition lawyer Erias Lukwago intensified on Monday after a photograph allegedly showing him blindfolded while in detention was shared online by Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

The image, posted on Muhoozi’s X account alongside the caption “Ongea Kiswahili” (Speak Swahili), depicted Lukwago seated in what appeared to be a tiled room with a black-and-white cloth covering his eyes.

Wearing a white T-shirt, the opposition figure appeared visibly weakened, sitting with his hands clasped in front of him.

Although no security personnel could be seen in the photograph, its release followed reports that operatives from the Special Forces Command (SFC) had earlier raided Lukwago’s residence in Wakaliga and taken him into custody.

The photo’s publication marked a dramatic turn in a day-long social media exchange during which Muhoozi appeared to acknowledge Lukwago’s detention while mocking opposition leaders demanding his release.

In earlier posts, the CDF claimed he had “captured a fool and taken him to the basement,” adding that the detainee would “learn Kiswahili.” Responding to one supporter, Muhoozi wrote that Lukwago had been fighting him alongside opposition leader Kizza Besigye for many years and suggested the conflict would now be settled.

Another post appeared to allude to a court case involving Besigye and Lukwago, with Muhoozi warning that he would arrest anyone attempting to serve him with legal documents. The remarks were widely interpreted as referring to ongoing efforts by Besigye’s legal team to serve court papers on the CDF in a human rights suit before the High Court.

The circulation of the photograph quickly sparked alarm among lawyers, journalists and political figures, particularly because of Lukwago’s long-standing health concerns.

Journalist Canary Mugume recalled interviewing Lukwago on NBS Television’s Face Off programme several months ago, describing a man who was already struggling with serious health complications.

According to Mugume, Lukwago experienced breathing difficulties during the interview, forcing several pauses to allow him time to recover. He noted that the Lord Mayor’s health had been a concern for some time.

The comments have reignited debate about Lukwago’s medical condition, especially in light of his previous overseas treatment and recurring concerns raised during recent public appearances.

His arrest comes amid a sensitive legal battle involving Besigye and Muhoozi. The High Court recently ordered the CDF and other respondents to file their defence in a petition brought by Besigye and his co-accused, Obeid Lutale.

The applicants are seeking declarations that statements allegedly made by Muhoozi threatening Besigye’s life violated constitutional protections.

They are also challenging Besigye’s arrest in Nairobi in November 2024 and his subsequent transfer to Uganda, which his lawyers contend amounted to an unlawful rendition.

Justice Emmanuel Baguma recently granted the respondents seven days to file their responses ahead of a substantive hearing.

As one of the lead lawyers in the case, Lukwago has been actively involved in efforts to ensure court documents are properly served on all respondents.

Opposition politicians, including Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, have alleged that the operation against Lukwago was intended to block the service of court papers on Muhoozi. Security agencies have yet to respond publicly to those claims.

By Monday evening, neither the UPDF nor the Special Forces Command had issued an official explanation regarding the legal grounds for Lukwago’s detention, his whereabouts, or whether he had been granted access to lawyers, relatives or medical personnel.

With the blindfolded image now widely circulating on social media, public attention has shifted beyond the political ramifications of the arrest to urgent questions surrounding Lukwago’s health, safety and treatment while in military custody.

The incident is expected to intensify scrutiny of the Besigye-Muhoozi court proceedings and reignite debate over the treatment of opposition leaders and lawyers involved in politically sensitive cases.