Former Kampala Lord Mayor and President of the opposition People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), Erias Lukwago, was arrested Monday morning from his residence in Wakaliga, Rubaga Division.
Security operatives seized Lukwago under unclear circumstances.
Details of the operation and any specific charges linked to his arrest were not immediately available.
According to sources close to him, Lukwago had been scheduled to appear for a television interview at his Kampala office but chose to conduct it from home.
He was also preparing to serve court documents on Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as part of his role in the defence team representing detained opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye in a treason-related case.
Boda boda riders in the area reported noticing security personnel as early as 5:00 a.m.
Witnesses said operatives, some in military uniforms and others in civilian clothing, scaled the perimeter fence before entering the house.
Monitor journalist Ibrahim Kavuma, who was inside the residence at the time, reported hearing loud commands directed at Lukwago’s wife and doors being slammed as the operatives searched for him.
Devices belonging to people inside the house were also briefly seized.
In an apparent reference to the incident, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba later posted on social media: “I have captured a FOOL and taken him to the basement!”
He did not name any individual, and it was not immediately confirmed whether the post related to Lukwago’s arrest.
The PFF strongly condemned the arrest, describing it as state-sponsored lawlessness aimed at suppressing political dissent and shielding individuals from legal accountability.
“Instead of respecting the rule of law, the regime has chosen military might to shield themselves from legal accountability and choke the voices of democratic change. This is the height of state-sponsored lawlessness,” the party said in a statement.
“Intimidation cannot and will not deter our resolve. You can blockade a house, but you cannot blockade the burning desire of millions of Ugandans fighting for freedom and democratic change.”
Neither the police nor other security agencies had issued an official statement on the arrest as of the time of reporting. The full circumstances surrounding the operation could not be independently verified.