Former Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura has strongly criticised the arrest of former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, describing it as unjustified and politically motivated.
Speaking during an appearance on NTV on Thursday night, June 18, Nyanjura dismissed claims that Lukwago posed any security risk, arguing that his legal work is being criminalised.
“Erias Lukwago has never been a security threat. His only crime is defending Dr. Kizza Besigye, and the manner in which he was abducted from his home is unjustifiable,” she said.
Lukwago was arrested earlier this week in a military-led operation at his home in Kampala, where armed personnel reportedly forced entry and took him to an undisclosed location before later presenting him in court.
He is now facing charges linked to misprision of treason, tied to ongoing investigations involving opposition figures.
Nyanjura questioned both the legality and timing of the arrest, noting that Lukwago was actively representing Besigye in a sensitive treason case.
She suggested that targeting a lawyer for carrying out his professional duties raises serious concerns about the rule of law.
“In a working democracy, the judiciary would be vocal about Lukwago’s arrest and would dismiss any charges against him because he was an officer of the law fulfilling his duty,” she added.
Her remarks also extended to Uganda’s judicial leadership, accusing it of failing to safeguard constitutional freedoms.
“Unfortunately, we live in a country where the Chief Justice himself is against freedom of speech,” Nyanjura stated, in comments likely to intensify debate around judicial independence in Uganda.
The arrest has already drawn criticism from legal bodies and opposition groups, who argue that it reflects growing interference by security agencies in civilian legal processes.
Concerns have also been raised about the involvement of military units in what would typically be a police matter.