The Ugandan government has charged a lawyer already facing treason proceedings with a further related offence, prompting a formal warning from the United Kingdom over the erosion of judicial independence. The development signals an escalating confrontation between Kampala and the international community, as legal observers fear a systemic assault on the rule of law.
Eria Lukwago, a prominent human rights lawyer and former presidential candidate, was arrested on Monday and subsequently charged with “misprision of treason” for allegedly failing to report a plot against the state. This charge stems from the same case in which Lukwago is already accused of treason, for representing clients linked to an alleged coup attempt. The government has not provided evidence of the purported plot.
The UK Foreign Office issued a statement expressing “deep concern” over the charges, describing them as “part of a worrying pattern of intimidation against the legal profession in Uganda.” The statement warned that such actions “undermine the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law, which are fundamental to democratic governance.” UK officials are reportedly reviewing bilateral aid and diplomatic engagements.
Uganda’s judiciary has faced mounting pressure under President Yoweri Museveni’s administration, which has been in power since 1986. In recent years, dozens of lawyers and judges have been arrested or sanctioned for handling politically sensitive cases. The Uganda Law Society has documented over 30 instances of judicial harassment since 2021, including the suspension of judges who ruled against government interests.
Legal analysts view the latest charge as a tactic to further isolate Lukwago and deter other lawyers from taking on similar cases. “This is a clear message: if you defend the accused, you become the accused,” said Dr. Sarah Nakasi, a constitutional law professor at Makerere University. “The cumulative effect is a chilling of legal advocacy and a hollowing out of due process.”
The case has drawn comparisons to the treatment of opposition leader Bobi Wine, who faced treason charges in 2018 and 2021. Wine, a musician turned politician, was acquitted after international pressure, but his legal team experienced systematic harassment. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for Lukwago’s immediate release and the dropping of all charges.
International reaction has been swift. The European Union has called for an independent investigation into the charges. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has expressed alarm. Meanwhile, the East African Court of Justice is preparing to hear a petition on judicial independence in Uganda.
For London, the issue is particularly sensitive. The UK is a major donor to Uganda, providing £100 million annually in aid, much of it tied to governance reforms. The warning signals a potential shift in policy, though analysts note that Uganda’s strategic position in the Horn of Africa complicates any punitive measures.
The Trump administration has remained quiet on the matter, continuing its transactional approach to foreign policy. US-based human rights groups have urged Washington to suspend security assistance.
Lukwago’s next court appearance is scheduled for next week. His family reports that he is in good health but deeply concerned about the broader implications for the profession.
The situation remains fluid. For now, the charge sheets pile up, and the message from Kampala is clear: no lawyer is safe. The international community watches, but whether it acts remains the critical question.
