Investigative journalist Canary Mugume has weighed in on the Monday morning abduction of Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, drawing attention not only to the circumstances of his arrest but also to concerns over his health condition.
Mugume recalled a recent televised interview with Lukwago on NBS Face Off, saying the politician appeared visibly unwell during the session conducted a few months ago.
“Last time I interviewed Lukwago on #NBSFaceOff a couple of months ago, he didn’t look well,” Mugume said. “He had difficulty in breathing and the interview took longer than expected because we stopped thrice to give him a break to catch his breath. His health has not been well for a while now.”
His remarks come in the wake of reports that Lukwago was taken from his residence in Wakaliga by armed security operatives in an early morning operation that involved a heavy security presence around his home.
Mugume, who has frequently covered governance and security issues, expressed concern that Lukwago’s medical condition should be taken into account while he is in custody.
He called for access to both medical and legal support for the opposition politician.
“I hope he’s accorded access to his doctors, lawyers,” he added.
Lukwago’s abduction has sparked public debate and renewed scrutiny of the treatment of opposition figures in Uganda, with political observers questioning the circumstances surrounding the operation and the lack of immediate official communication on the reasons for his detention.
The former Kampala Lord Mayor and current leader within the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) has long been a prominent critic of government policy and a central figure in opposition politics.
His detention comes at a time of heightened political sensitivity in the country, where concerns over arrests and security operations targeting political figures have been repeatedly raised by rights groups and civil society actors.