Former President Idi Amin’s son, Lumumba Amin, has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the reported arrest of former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, urging the public to focus on legal facts rather than drawing comparisons with his late father.
His remarks come amid growing public debate linking the incident to Uganda’s military leadership, particularly the Commander of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and speculation circulating on social media that has drawn parallels with the governance style of the late President Idi Amin.
Lumumba expressed concern over what he described as the “casual association” of his father’s name with current political events, saying the former leader should not be invoked in matters in which he has no involvement.
“People are mentioning my late father in issues that have nothing to do with him. He is not here to respond, and such comparisons are misplaced,” he said.
Turning to the arrest of Lukwago, Lumumba stressed that the central question should be the legal basis for any detention, not political interpretation or public speculation.
He called for clear disclosure of the charges, if any, and the evidence supporting them.
“The first issue is simple: what is he arrested for? What crime has been committed under the laws of Uganda, and what evidence supports it? That information must be made public,” he said.
He further emphasized that even in the event of release, authorities should clarify the legal grounds that led to the arrest in the first place, arguing that transparency is essential to prevent perceptions of abuse of power.
“There must be clarity so that it is understood whether the arrest was based on lawful grounds or otherwise. No one should be detained without clear legal justification,” he added.
Lumumba also called for patience from the public and Uganda’s international partners, urging restraint as facts emerge. He said concerns raised by foreign observers should be addressed through legal transparency rather than speculation.
He concluded by reiterating that accountability under Ugandan law should guide the discussion, insisting that public debate must remain anchored in established criminal statutes and due process.