Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, acting as legal counsel for Rtd. Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye, who was remanded to Luzira Prison on Wednesday, has traveled to Nairobi for consultations with constitutional and human rights lawyers.
Lukwago is engaging organizations such as the Katiba Institute, Pan-African Lawyers Union, and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) to explore avenues for addressing what he described as rampant cases of enforced disappearances and abductions of Ugandan leaders.
Lukwago has citied incidents like the recent detention of 36 opposition members in Kisumu and their subsequent extradition to Uganda, as well as the arrests of Besigye and Hajji Obed.
Lukwago expressed concern over the alleged involvement of the Kenyan government in these activities.
“We are looking into legal options across jurisdictions, including the East African Court of Justice, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and others, to combat this vice,” Lukwago said.
Adding that: “So we are concerned about this practice of enforced disappearance, this criminality going on, abductions, kidnap, of course with the acquisitions of the government of Kenya because they are abetting this, they are accomplishing this and therefore we are trying to explore ways of pursuing litigation at different levels, different jurisdictions”
He emphasized the need for regional and international intervention to address what he described as “state-sanctioned criminality” affecting political leaders and activists in Uganda.
The former presidential candidate and political activist, Rtd. Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye, was remanded to Luzira Prison following his arraignment before the General Court Martial in Makindye. Besigye, who was charged alongside Hajj Obed Lutale, and the duo will remain in custody until December 2, 2024, when his case is scheduled for mention.
The charge sheet presented in court details four counts against Besigye and Lutale: offenses relating to security (UPDF Act, Section 128(1)(f)), where the duo is accused of holding meetings between October 2023 and November 2024 in Geneva, Athens, and Nairobi, allegedly aimed at soliciting support to compromise Uganda’s defense forces.
Unlawful Possession of Firearms (Firearms Act, Section 4(1) & (2)) where court heard that on November 16, 2024, they were reportedly found in possession of firearms at the Riverside Apartments in Nairobi. The items, including a Pistol Model 27KAL No. 765 and a Pistol HB 1014 1953, are classified as the exclusive monopoly of the defense forces.
Another charge is unlawful possession of ammunition (Firearms Act, Section 4(1) & (2)) where the accused allegedly held eight rounds of ammunition without lawful authority at the same Nairobi location.
Besigye’s lawyer argued in court that the charges are politically motivated and aimed at silencing government critics. Meanwhile, Hajj Obed Lutale, Besigye’s co-accused, has also denied the allegations.
Compiled by Minah Nalule
