By Ben Musanje
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of lawyer Erias Lukwago, disclosure of his whereabouts, and guarantees that members of the legal profession will not be targeted or obstructed while performing their duties.
In a strongly worded protest note dated June 15, 2026, the lawyers’ body accused the military of unlawfully arresting and detaining Lukwago, the lead counsel for Dr Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale in an ongoing treason case before the High Court.
While reading the statement signed by ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde to journalists at Kololo on Monday, ULS Secretary Ssali Babu gave the military chief 24 hours to comply with four key demands.
The society called for Lukwago’s immediate release, full disclosure of his whereabouts and condition, unrestricted access to him by family members and ULS representatives, a public commitment by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) not to intimidate or arrest lawyers carrying out their professional duties, and intervention by the Chief Justice to safeguard judicial independence and the security of all parties involved in court proceedings.
ULS maintained that any attack on an advocate amounted to an attack on the entire legal profession and the rule of law.
The society alleged that Lukwago was arrested at his home by UPDF personnel while carrying out his duties as counsel for Besigye and Lutale. It further linked the arrest to public comments made by Gen Muhoozi on social media, which it said appeared to refer to Lukwago’s detention and threatened individuals attempting to serve court documents on him.
According to ULS, the remarks amounted to intimidation, obstruction of justice and interference with the administration of court processes.
The society argued that detaining a defence lawyer in the middle of active proceedings undermined the constitutional right to a fair hearing and threatened the independence of both the legal profession and the judiciary.
Before reading the protest note, Babu described Lukwago’s arrest as part of what he termed a growing pattern of attacks against lawyers handling politically sensitive cases.
He recalled several incidents involving members of the legal profession, including lawyer Aaron Kiiza, who he said had been assaulted and imprisoned by the General Court Martial while representing Besigye. He also cited alleged acts of intimidation against lawyers Caleb Alaka and Kato Tumusiime.
Babu said ULS had previously sought dialogue with the military leadership regarding the treatment of advocates but had received no response. He disclosed that the latest protest note had already been delivered to the CDF’s office and copied to senior government and judicial officials.
He warned that the society would not remain silent in the face of continued violations against lawyers and was prepared to pursue legal action over what it described as persistent harassment and intimidation of advocates.
Babu further argued that the legal profession was increasingly operating under conditions of excessive militarization, with military influence extending into civilian judicial processes and affecting lawyers’ ability to perform their duties independently.
Addressing the same press conference, Senior Counsel Martha Karua, who is part of Besigye’s legal team, claimed Lukwago’s arrest was connected to attempts to serve court documents on Gen Muhoozi in a human rights case filed by Besigye and Lutale.
Karua explained that Lukwago had obtained court summons for service on the CDF after the matter was scheduled for hearing before Justice Douglas Singiza Baguma later this month. She said social media posts attributed to Gen Muhoozi suggested that the arrest was directly linked to the intended service of court process.
She argued that the incident constituted interference with the administration of justice and created the impression that certain individuals considered themselves above the law. Karua stressed that no person, regardless of position, was exempt from the Constitution or the laws of Uganda.
She called on the judiciary to defend its independence and ensure that court orders and legal processes were respected by all persons regardless of rank or office. She further urged judicial leaders to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserved because of its implications for the administration of justice.
Karua also appealed to President Yoweri Museveni, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief, to intervene and secure Lukwago’s release while ensuring that lawyers were able to perform their duties without intimidation. She maintained that the developments raised serious concerns about due process and the prospects of a fair trial for Besigye and Lutale.
The ULS protest note was copied to the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice, Principal Judge, Attorney General, Uganda Human Rights Commission and several regional and international legal bodies, including the International Bar Association, the East Africa Law Society and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers.
The lawyers’ body warned that failure to meet its demands within the stipulated 24-hour period could trigger legal action at both national and international levels. It maintained that continued interference with lawyers and court processes posed a serious threat to the rule of law, judicial independence and constitutional governance in Uganda. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
