“My beloved wife Charlotte has convinced me to release the criminal Lukwago. I will release him because of my love for her,” Muhoozi wrote.
Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has said former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago will be released following an appeal from his wife, Charlotte Kainerugaba.
In a post on X, Muhoozi stated that his wife had persuaded him to release Lukwago, whom he referred to as a “criminal.”
“My beloved wife Charlotte has convinced me to release the criminal Lukwago. I will release him because of my love for her,” Muhoozi wrote.
Lukwago was reportedly taken from his home in Wakaliga on Monday morning by armed men alleged to be security operatives and driven to an unknown location. By Tuesday, his whereabouts had not been publicly disclosed.
According to Lukwago’s legal team, led by counsel Medard Lubega Ssegona, efforts to register an abduction complaint at Nateete Police Station and later at the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) headquarters were unsuccessful.
Earlier, Muhoozi had posted photographs on X showing a blindfolded Lukwago and claimed that the former Kampala Lord Mayor had begun pleading for forgiveness. The images sparked widespread debate and concern among supporters and political observers.
The latest development comes amid growing public scrutiny over Lukwago’s reported detention and a series of social media posts by the army chief concerning the opposition politician.
In a separate exchange on X, Muhoozi responded to a supporter identified as Tumukunde TT, who had also appealed for compassion towards Lukwago, citing concerns about his health.
Tumukunde, who described himself as a loyal supporter of Muhoozi, argued that despite political differences, Lukwago had largely been carrying out his professional duties as a lawyer representing clients. He also claimed that Lukwago’s health appeared to be deteriorating following a recent encounter in court.
“We do not wish to see his health worsen,” Tumukunde wrote, adding that many of Muhoozi’s supporters would welcome an act of mercy.
Responding to the appeal, Muhoozi thanked the supporter for his civility but used the opportunity to reference what he described as a long-standing political rivalry.
“Tumukunde, thank you for your message and civility. Advise Lukwago to learn from you. He has been fighting me with Besigye for many decades. We are going to finish it now,” Muhoozi posted.
The remarks quickly drew attention across Uganda’s political landscape, with many interpreting them as evidence of a deep-rooted political dispute involving Lukwago and veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye.
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Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, has spent more than two decades challenging President Yoweri Museveni’s administration and has repeatedly accused state institutions of targeting government critics.
Lukwago has similarly established himself as one of the government’s most vocal critics, both during his tenure as Kampala Lord Mayor and through his legal representation of opposition activists and detainees.
As reactions continue to emerge, public attention remains focused on Lukwago’s condition and whether Muhoozi’s latest statement will translate into his release.
For now, Muhoozi’s comments have added a new dimension to an already controversial episode that has intensified political debate and renewed concerns about the treatment of opposition figures in Uganda.