Former President Idi Amin’s son, Lumumba Amin, has called for clarity over the reported detention of former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, questioning whether due process was followed and insisting that authorities must publicly outline the charges and evidence, if any.
His remarks come amid heightened political debate and online comparisons linking the current situation to Uganda’s past and present leadership, including references to Muhoozi Kainerugaba and the legacy of his late father, former President Idi Amin.
Lumumba dismissed attempts to draw parallels involving his father, saying such associations are misplaced and unfair, given that Idi Amin is no longer alive to respond or defend his record.
He instead shifted focus to what he described as the central issue — the legal justification for Lukwago’s arrest and detention.
He argued that any lawful arrest must be anchored in clear provisions of Ugandan criminal law, supported by evidence that can be independently verified.
“The question is simple: what is the crime? What exactly is the offence under the law, and what evidence supports it? That information must be made public,” he said.
Lumumba added that transparency should not end at the point of arrest, insisting that even in cases where an individual is released, authorities must still clarify the legal basis for the initial detention.
He said this is necessary to prevent perceptions of abuse of power or arbitrary enforcement of the law.
He further stressed that the rule of law requires consistency, warning that failure to clearly communicate charges undermines public trust in state institutions and creates room for speculation and misinformation.
“There must always be clarity so that citizens understand whether an arrest is grounded in law or not,” he noted.
Lumumba also urged the public and international observers to exercise patience as the situation develops, saying premature conclusions risk distorting facts before official explanations are provided.