Veteran lawyer Medard Ssegona has blasted the dramatic seizure of former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, calling it a kidnapping and warning that Uganda is sliding deeper into fear and lawlessness. Moments after armed men reportedly stormed Lukwago’s home and whisked him away in drone vehicles, Ssegona rushed to the residence and condemned the operation. […]
Veteran lawyer Medard Ssegona has blasted the dramatic seizure of former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, calling it a kidnapping and warning that Uganda is sliding deeper into fear and lawlessness.
Moments after armed men reportedly stormed Lukwago’s home and whisked him away in drone vehicles, Ssegona rushed to the residence and condemned the operation.
Lukwago’s son, Fahad Lukwago, gave a detailed account of the events, describing a sudden and violent intrusion into the family home.
He said he was inside the house when the situation began unfolding.
“When we entered, I closed the door while I and a house help were inside. They came and started barging in, kicking down the door. There was a lot of fear and chaos. They were asking us where he was, barking at us.” Fahad said.
Fahad alleged that the operatives forced their way upstairs where Lukwago and other family members were located.
“My parents were upstairs in their room. They barged in, went up the stairs, and found him there. They mistreated my mother and then got him and took him,” he said.
He further claimed that the attackers gave no proper identification and acted aggressively throughout the operation.
According to Fahad, Lukwago had earlier been on a live broadcast with a TV and had been preparing for a media engagement at his office before the incident happened.
“We were preparing to go to office because he had an interview. He saw what was happening outside and told us to come inside,” Fahad explained.
He added that Lukwago later conducted the interview from home before leaving the house.
Shortly after his departure, the alleged security operation beg
Speaking to journalists outside Lukwago’s residence, Ssegona said to journalists:
“The police say they know nothing about it. Under the law these officers are not supposed to detain anyone. What we are seeing is kidnapping”.
The outspoken lawyer says he believes the incident amounts to “kidnap with intent to murder.”
“We are treating this as a kidnapping case and we are going to police to report it,” he said.
Ssegona also raised concern over explosive social media posts attributed to CDF Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba which appeared to mock an unnamed detainee.
“We have seen posts claiming ‘we have him’ and calling someone a fool. None of us is safe until all of us are safe,” Ssegona said.
The lawyer suggested Lukwago’s troubles could be linked to his legal work for Dr Kizza Besigye and a fresh human rights application recently filed against Gen Muhoozi and other government officials.
Only days ago, Lukwago filed a court application accusing the CDF of human rights violations. He had also reportedly planned to serve court papers on Gen Muhoozi.
Ssegona warned that humiliating political opponents in front of their families could breed bitterness and revenge.
“If you flog a man before his wife and children, what seeds of love are you planting? You are planting hatred,” he said.
As Lukwago’s whereabouts remained unknown, Ssegona urged Ugandans not to surrender to fear.
“We can only remain firm in what we believe,” he said.
CDF posted on his socials today, the posts, not verified and not naming Lukwago directly included chilling statements such as:
“We are warming up the fool”
“He has urinated three times already”
“This one needs diapers”
Threats and insults directed at unnamed political figures
The posts also referenced past threats against opposition figures, including Dr Kizza Besigye.
