Fear Over Lukwago’s Health as Muhoozi Posts Blindfolded Photo of Detained Opposition Lawyer

Concerns over the health and safety of Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago intensified on Monday after Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba published a photograph appearing to show the opposition lawyer blindfolded while in detention.

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

Dressed in a white T-shirt, Lukwago appeared frail as he sat with his hands clasped together in front of his chest.

No security personnel were visible in the photograph, but its publication came hours after reports that Special Forces Command (SFC) operatives had raided his Wakaliga residence and taken him into custody.

The release of the image marked a dramatic escalation in a day-long social media exchange in which Muhoozi appeared to acknowledge Lukwago’s detention and taunted opposition figures demanding his release.

Earlier, the CDF posted messages stating that he had “captured a fool and taken him to the basement” and that the individual would “learn Kiswahili.”

He later responded to an appeal from one of his supporters by writing: “Tumukunde, thank you for your message and civility. Advise Lukwago to learn from you. He has been fighting me with Besigye for many decades. We are going to finish it now.”

In another post, Muhoozi appeared to reference an ongoing court battle involving Lukwago and opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye.

“Please serve the papers and I’ll arrest both you and whoever serves them!” he wrote.

The comments were widely interpreted as a reference to efforts by Besigye’s legal team to serve court documents on the CDF in a human rights enforcement suit currently before the High Court in Kampala.

The publication of Lukwago’s photograph immediately triggered concern among lawyers, politicians and journalists who have followed his recent health struggles.

Journslist Canary Mugume recalled interviewing Lukwago on NBS Television’s Face Off programme several months ago and described a man already battling serious health difficulties.

“Last time I interviewed Lukwago on #NBSFaceOff a couple of months ago, he didn’t look well. He had difficulty in breathing and the interview took longer than expected because we stopped thrice to give him a break to catch his breath. His health has not been well for a while now,” Mugume posted on X.

The remarks have renewed public discussion about Lukwago’s medical condition, particularly given his previous trips abroad for specialized treatment and recurring concerns about his health during recent public appearances.

The arrest comes at a critical moment in the legal battle between Besigye and Muhoozi.

The High Court recently directed the CDF and other respondents to file their defence in a petition filed by Besigye and his co-accused, Hajj Obeid Lutale.

The applicants are seeking declarations that public statements allegedly made by Muhoozi threatening to shoot or hang Besigye violated his constitutional rights.

The petition also challenges Besigye’s November 2024 arrest in Nairobi and subsequent transfer to Uganda, which his lawyers describe as an unlawful rendition.

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

Lukwago has been one of the lead lawyers pursuing the case and has been involved in efforts to ensure court documents are formally served on the respondents.

Opposition politicians, including Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, have alleged that Monday’s operation was intended to prevent Lukwago from serving court papers on Muhoozi. Security agencies have not publicly commented on the allegation.

By Monday evening, neither the UPDF nor the Special Forces Command had issued an official statement explaining the legal basis for Lukwago’s detention, where he was being held, or whether he had been granted access to lawyers, family members or medical personnel.

With images of the visibly weakened and blindfolded Lord Mayor now circulating widely online, attention has shifted beyond the political and legal implications of his arrest to urgent questions about his welfare, health and treatment while in military custody.

The developments are expected to heighten scrutiny of the Besigye-Muhoozi court case and fuel fresh debate over the treatment of opposition leaders and lawyers involved in politically sensitive litigation.

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