Uganda military chief under fire for remarks about opposition figure
FILE PHOTO: Muhoozi Kainerugaba of the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF), the son of Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, who leads the Ugandan army's land forces, looks on during his birthday party in Entebbe, Uganda May 7, 2022. REUTERS/Abubaker Lubowa/File Photo
Uganda’s military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba has come under fire after posting messages online that appeared to celebrate the detention of opposition politician and lawyer Erias Lukwago, as reported by Africanews with AP on June 16th.
In a series of posts on X, Kainerugaba shared images that seemed to show Lukwago in custody and claimed the opposition figure was seeking forgiveness. He also vowed to inflict “hurt and pain” on Lukwago, prompting condemnation from opposition groups and rights advocates.
Lukwago was reportedly taken from his home by military personnel on June 15th. According to family members, armed men entered the property and removed him without providing information about where he was being taken or why he had been detained.
The detention reportedly occurred while Lukwago was preparing legal action against Kainerugaba over the alleged abduction of veteran opposition leader Kizza Besigye. The circumstances surrounding Lukwago’s arrest have intensified concerns among critics who accuse authorities of using state institutions to silence political opponents.
Opposition leaders and human rights activists strongly condemned the incident, describing it as another example of shrinking political freedoms in Uganda. Lukwago’s wife labelled the detention a political kidnapping, arguing that it was intended to intimidate government critics and discourage dissent.
The controversy has also renewed scrutiny of Kainerugaba, who serves as Uganda’s army chief and is the son of President Yoweri Museveni. Widely viewed as a potential successor to his father, Kainerugaba has previously drawn criticism for provocative social media comments directed at opposition figures and foreign leaders.
Analysts say the latest incident highlights growing tensions between the government and opposition groups ahead of future political contests. Critics argue that the apparent involvement of military personnel in the detention of a prominent opposition lawyer raises serious questions about the rule of law and civil liberties.
The Ugandan government has not publicly addressed the criticism surrounding Kainerugaba’s posts, while calls continue for clarification regarding Lukwago’s detention and whereabouts.
Africanews with AP, Maghrebi.org
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