A Ugandan court on June 17, 2026, charged opposition lawyer and politician Erias Lukwago with concealing treason, days after he was arrested on the orders of Army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Lukwago, who serves as legal counsel for jailed opposition leader Kizza Besigye, was charged with “misprision of treason”, an offence relating to the alleged failure to report acts of treason. He has denied the accusation.
The arrest has heightened tensions between Lukwago and Kainerugaba, the son of President Yoweri Museveni. Lukwago had publicly indicated plans to pursue legal action against the army chief over alleged human rights violations linked to Besigye’s arrest in Nairobi in November 2024 and his continued detention in Uganda.
The manner of Lukwago’s arrest drew criticism after soldiers reportedly scaled the wall of his residence before taking him into custody. The incident sparked concerns among rights groups and opposition supporters about Kainerugaba’s growing influence in Uganda’s political and security affairs.
The Uganda Law Society condemned the arrest and called for Lukwago’s immediate release, arguing that it undermined due process. Although President Museveni was sworn in for a seventh consecutive term last month, Kainerugaba has increasingly emerged as a powerful political figure and is widely seen as a potential successor to his 81-year-old father. His expanding role in both military and political affairs has fuelled debate about the future direction of Uganda’s leadership.