KAMPALA – The Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), a major European lawyers’ body, has formally written to President Museveni demanding answers over the detention of Ugandan senior Counsel Erias Lukwago.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The European lawyers’ body raised the concerns in a letter dated June 24, 2026, signed by the CCBE President Roman Završek, highlighting the organization’s alarm over reports that Lukwago was detained from his home and taken hostage under the watch of military personnel.
Lukwago, the lead defence counsel for the detained opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, who is on trial for treason, was taken away on June 15, 2026, from his home in Wakaliga, Rubaga Division, Kampala.
Armed operatives from the Special Forces Command raided his residence around 10am. Lukwago was held incommunicado for 2 days before being brought to Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court on June 17, 2026.
Lukwago was charged with misprision of treason for allegedly concealing a treason plot between 2021 and 2024. He firmly denies the accusation and awaits his bail ruling on June 30, 2026.
In a dramatic turn, Lukwago was arrested while preparing to serve court summons on Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba in a case brought by Dr Kizza Besigye over social media threats.
Following the shocking arrest, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, took to X to declare he had “captured a fool and taken him to the basement”, and later shared images of a blindfolded man resembling Lukwago, deepening the controversy.
While the prosecution insists Lukwago failed to report the alleged treasonous intentions to authorities, his fellows, including Bobi Wine, condemn the seizure as an unlawful act.
The court, however, acknowledged concerns regarding Lukwago’s health and directed that he be transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital for specialized medical assessment and treatment.
Meanwhile, the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), the lawyers’ body that represents other legal bodies from 46 countries, urgently called on Ugandan authorities to clarify the circumstances surrounding Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago’s arrest.
The European lawyers’ body firmly insists that Lukwago must be allowed to carry out his professional duties without any interference or intimidation, as his detention has raised serious concerns across the legal community.
Citing the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, the CCBE reminded Uganda’s government that international standards guarantee all legal practitioners protection from harassment, intimidation, and undue interference in their work.
The CCBE further called for Uganda to sign and ratify the newly adopted Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer once it becomes open for accession.
The CCBE’s intervention adds an international dimension to a controversy that has already sparked significant criticism from opposition politicians, human rights advocates, and legal professionals in Uganda.
The case has drawn attention to broader concerns about the rule of law and judicial independence in Uganda, particularly regarding the treatment of lawyers involved in politically sensitive cases.
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