"This is no longer just about legal technicalities but about a human life. Counsel Lukwago has dedicated his entire professional life to defending the rule of law and constitutionalism. To see the same system he has served now turn against him in his hour of greatest need is painful," Lulume added.
The decision prompted the Uganda Medical Association (UMA) to condemn the action, calling it an unlawful suspension. The association demanded the immediate withdrawal of the decision and called for an end to what it termed as political theatrics in health facilities.
“We don’t know where exactly Lukwago is because his legal firm, led by Medad Ssegonna, tried to go to the Natete police station to report the case, but it refused. They proceeded to the CID offices, and the same thing happened. However, they decided to write to the CID headquarters about Lukwago's arrest and his incommunicado detention,” Lulume said.
“We have all the reasons to believe that Lukwago has been arrested by the CDF because he had filed several applications since Besigye was arrested in Nairobi, including that on human rights enforcement, which Justice Baguma endorsed for hearing on June 30th, 2026, at the High Court,” Ssemuju said.
Besigye and the co-accused Kamulegeya are not the first civilians to appear before the military court; many have been charged, and in the case of Micheal Kabaziguruka, the former MP for Nakawa division, the Constitutional Court held a decision that the General Court Martial has no power to try civilians, though this still continues to happen.
The case, which has drawn significant public attention, will resume on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, for mention and ruling on issues raised by the defense, including challenges to the court’s jurisdiction and procedural fairness.