Former Leader of Opposition and Kasese Woman MP Winnie Kiiza has issued a stark warning following the controversial abduction of lawyer Erias Lukwago, describing the incident as a reflection of growing but suppressed public anger in Uganda.
Lukwago was reportedly seized from his home in Kampala by armed security operatives on Monday, in an operation that has drawn condemnation from opposition leaders and legal bodies.
His whereabouts remained unclear hours after the incident, intensifying concerns over his safety and the rule of law.
Reacting to the development, Kiiza framed the situation within the broader context of transitional justice, suggesting that the silence among citizens should not be mistaken for stability.
“As a transitional justice expert, I’m familiar with this kind of silence,” Kiiza said. “It’s not that people can’t see what’s wrong. It’s the deep pain they’re carrying that keeps them quiet.”
She warned that prolonged suppression of grievances could trigger sudden unrest, often sparked by seemingly minor issues.
“It’s easy to mistake that silence for peace, but it’s not. It’s tension building beneath the surface. Then one day, something seemingly small, like the price of bread going up, triggers an explosion. That’s how dangerous years of bottled-up anger can be,” she added.
Kiiza described the current situation as “the calm before the storm,” cautioning that continued actions perceived as unjust could push citizens beyond a breaking point.
She concluded her remarks with a local expression, “Ate awo babera tebakyafugika,” loosely translating to a state where people become uncontrollable.
The former opposition leader also addressed the role of the media in reporting the incident, noting the apparent inconsistency in how journalists have described Lukwago’s seizure.
While some media outlets termed it an “arrest,” others referred to it as an “abduction,” reflecting a divergence that has sparked public debate.
“Please excuse our journalists. They certainly know the difference between an arrest and an abduction,” Kiiza said. “But, as the Archbishop said, they also fear for their lives. Tough times.”
Her remarks point to a climate of fear within the media, where self-censorship may influence how sensitive security-related incidents are reported.
The incident involving Lukwago has since fueled wider concerns about the increasing role of security forces in civilian matters, particularly involving opposition figures and legal practitioners.