A sharp rift has emerged within Uganda’s political establishment after former government spokesperson and Member of Parliament for Older Persons, Ofwono Opondo, publicly criticised General Muhoozi Kainerugaba over his controversial social media posts involving detained opposition lawyer Erias Lukwago.
In his weekend column published in New Vision, Opondo condemned the conduct of state officials who, he argued, are misusing their authority in ways that evoke Uganda’s past authoritarian regimes.
His remarks come days after Muhoozi shared images of Lukwago online following his arrest and detention in what has been described as a military basement facility.
The images, which circulated widely on social media, showed Lukwago in a distressed state, sparking outrage among legal experts, political actors, and human rights organisations.
Critics have raised concerns about the legality of his detention and the public display of his condition while in custody.
Opondo, in his column, warned that such actions risk dragging the country back to a dark chapter in its history.
“Those using, or rather misusing, their positions of state to be compared with the abhorrent and discredited era of Idi Amin Dada and Milton Obote ought to know that no situation is permanent,” he wrote.
He further criticised the act of publicly exposing detainees, describing it as degrading and incompatible with the principles of a democratic state.
“There is no reason for stripping a man naked, showing his nudes to the public and bragging about it while purporting to use the authority of a democratic state,” Opondo added.
His comments mark one of the strongest internal criticisms directed at Muhoozi, who has increasingly drawn attention for his outspoken and often controversial use of social media, particularly on security-related matters.
The development has intensified debate over the role of the military in civilian affairs and the boundaries of state power, especially in politically sensitive cases involving opposition figures.
Opondo concluded his remarks with a broader call for accountability and restraint among leaders, warning that Uganda must not descend into lawlessness.
“Uganda shouldn’t be a jungle, and we collectively have a duty to raise the real flag of liberation,” he stated.