Human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo has issued a stark reflection on Uganda’s political trajectory following the denial of bail to city lawyer and politician Erias Lukwago, who is facing misprision of treason-related charges after his arrest by military authorities.
The development has intensified debate over governance, civil liberties, and political accountability in Uganda, with legal and political actors warning of deepening divisions if tensions remain unresolved.
In his remarks, Opiyo argued that Uganda’s political reality requires all sides—regardless of current alignment—to prepare for a future shaped by shifting power structures.
He cautioned that those currently aligned with the state may one day find themselves living under a different political order, stressing that most Ugandans have no alternative country to relocate to.
“If, or should I say when, the current status quo changes in Uganda, we’ll have to live with its proponents,” Opiyo said, framing his argument around long-term national cohesion rather than short-term political dominance.
He further noted that only a small segment of the political elite may have the means to leave the country in times of upheaval, while the majority of citizens will remain.
According to him, this makes coexistence and national reconciliation essential regardless of present-day political differences.
Opiyo urged supporters of the current establishment to adopt what he termed a long-term civic perspective, emphasizing that patriotism should not be based on coercion but on mutual respect and acceptance of diversity.
He argued that political power is temporary and often cyclical, describing it as a “revolving door” that demands restraint and foresight from those who hold it.
Drawing from historical parallels, he warned that figures associated with state power today could be remembered differently in future political transitions.
He referenced past regimes and enforcers, suggesting that roles within security and governance institutions often change meaning depending on who holds authority.
He stated that “today’s Muhoozi’s are tomorrow’s Malyamungus,” and similarly, individuals in powerful institutions could later be viewed through a different historical lens depending on political outcomes.
The lawyer also invoked a widely cited principle attributed to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., noting that societies must learn to coexist or risk long-term instability.