Uganda army chief sparks outrage with boast of 'pain' on detained lawyer

Uganda's military chief has provoked international outrage after publicly boasting about inflicting pain on a detained opposition lawyer, deepening concern over the rule of law in the country.

Erias Lukwago, president of the People's Front for Freedom and a prominent lawyer, was seized by soldiers from his home on June 15 as he prepared to serve a court summons on General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the chief of defence forces and son of President Yoweri Museveni. He was taken to a facility in Entebbe.

Kainerugaba, who has more than a million followers on the platform X, wrote: "I'm proud of ALL the hurt and pain I will inflict on the CRIMINAL LUKWAGO!" He later posted a photograph of the former Kampala mayor appearing distressed, his head shaved. Lukwago's wife told journalists he had been slapped, beaten and stripped in an apparent attempt to humiliate him.

Lukwago was charged with misprision of treason, remanded to Luzira Prison and denied bail. He is a lawyer for jailed opposition figure Kizza Besigye, and had sought to hold the army chief accountable for alleged abuses.

The case drew condemnation from human rights organisations, which called for Lukwago's release and warned that the public threats from a senior military figure signalled a dangerous erosion of legal protections in Uganda, where Museveni has held power since 1986.