Kampala City, Uganda: The Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), the umbrella body representing more than one million lawyers across 46 European countries, has written to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni expressing concern over the detention and prosecution of lawyer and opposition politician Erias Lukwago.
In a letter dated June 24, 2026, CCBE President Roman Završek called on Ugandan authorities to clarify the circumstances surrounding Lukwago’s arrest and ensure that he is able to perform his professional duties without interference.
The intervention adds an international dimension to the growing controversy surrounding the incarceration of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) president and former Kampala Lord Mayor.
“I am writing to you on behalf of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), which represents the Bars and Law Societies of 46 countries and, through them, more than one million lawyers,” Završek wrote.
“The CCBE wishes to express its concern regarding the reported detention of lawyer Erias Lukwago.”
Concerns Over Arrest and Detention
According to the European legal body, information available to it indicated that Lukwago was detained on June 15, 2026, after armed security personnel allegedly entered his residence in Kampala and took him to an undisclosed location.
“According to the information received, lawyer Erias Lukwago was reportedly detained on 15 June 2026 by security forces after armed personnel entered his residence in Kampala and took him to an undisclosed location,” the letter states.
The organisation further noted that Lukwago’s arrest reportedly occurred while he was actively engaged in legal work and preparing to serve legal summons on Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
“It is further reported that this occurred while he was acting as legal counsel in ongoing proceedings and was preparing to serve legal summons on General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s army chief and son of the President,” Završek wrote.
In its communication, the CCBE reminded the Ugandan government of international principles relating to the independence and protection of legal practitioners.
The body specifically cited the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, drawing attention to provisions concerning guarantees for lawyers to perform their duties without intimidation, interference or harassment.
“In this context, the CCBE wishes to draw your attention to the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, in particular Principles 16, 17 and 18 on guarantees for the functioning of lawyers, and Principle 23 on freedom of expression and association,” Završek stated.
The organisation urged authorities to provide clarity regarding the legal basis of Lukwago’s detention and to ensure his professional rights are respected.
“In view of the above, the CCBE respectfully urges the competent authorities to take all necessary measures to clarify without delay the circumstances and legal basis of the reported detention of lawyer Erias Lukwago, including his place of detention, and to ensure that he is able to exercise his professional duties without hindrance, including in relation to ongoing legal proceedings.”
“The CCBE further recalls that all lawyers must be able to perform their professional duties without fear of reprisal, hindrance, intimidation or harassment, in order to preserve the independence and integrity of the administration of justice and the rule of law.”
Court Denies Bail
The European bar letter comes just days after the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Makindye denied Lukwago bail and ordered that he remain on remand.
Chief Magistrate Sarah Anne Basemera ruled that despite presenting substantial sureties, the gravity of the offence and the ongoing nature of investigations justified his continued detention.
The court, however, acknowledged concerns regarding Lukwago’s health and directed prison authorities to transfer him from Luzira Prison to Mulago National Referral Hospital for specialised medical assessment and treatment.
His lawyers, led by Medard Sseggona, had argued that the veteran opposition leader suffers from complications related to an aggravated spinal disc condition requiring treatment beyond the capacity of prison health facilities.
The court further ordered that Lukwago’s wife and a lawyer of his choice be granted reasonable access during his treatment.
Misprision of Treason Charges
Lukwago is facing a charge of misprision of treason, with state prosecutors alleging that between 2021 and 2024, in Uganda and Kenya, he had knowledge of information relating to an alleged treason plot but failed to report it to relevant authorities.
The PFF president has, however, denied the accusations. His arrest and prosecution have generated widespread debate within legal, political, and human rights circles.
By Thursday evening, the Ugandan government had not publicly responded to the CCBE’s communication.
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