National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, commonly known as Bobi Wine, has written an emotional message to fellow opposition leader Erias Lukwago, expressing sadness over his continued detention and recalling the struggles they have faced in Uganda’s political environment.
In a handwritten letter dated July 8, 2026, Kyagulanyi, who is currently outside Uganda, described Lukwago’s situation as painful, saying the former Kampala Lord Mayor was facing challenges because of his long-standing opposition to President Yoweri Museveni’s government.
Kyagulanyi said Lukwago’s arrest reminded him of the many opposition figures who have gone through arrests, court battles and what he described as political persecution over the years.
Lukwago, who leads the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), was arrested on June 15, 2026, from his home in Nalukolongo, Kampala, in an operation that his supporters described as an abduction.
His lawyers and colleagues said security personnel took him away before his whereabouts became known, raising concerns among opposition supporters and human rights activists.
Two days after his arrest, Lukwago appeared before Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court where he was charged with misprision of treason, a charge connected to a wider case involving opposition figures Dr Kizza Besigye and Haji Obed Lutale.
Prosecution alleges that Lukwago, who was part of Besigye’s legal team, had knowledge of an alleged plan to overthrow the government but failed to report it to authorities.
Lukwago has denied the allegations, while his supporters have described the case as politically motivated.
Kyagulanyi, in his letter, said he was deeply affected after watching Lukwago plead in court for bail so that he could access medical treatment due to his deteriorating health.
“I have been following your trials and tribulations with a heavy heart. I watched a video of you begging the magistrate to be granted bail so that you could access medical care. It was heartbreaking,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
The NUP leader said Lukwago’s situation reminded him of the late Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya, who also pleaded for medical attention while in detention before his death.
“That reminded me of our brother Muhammad Ssegirinya who stood before court, desperately begging for the same mercy, even showing the magistrate his feet as they rotted away. His cries were ignored until it was too late,” Kyagulanyi said.
Kyagulanyi also referred to statements attributed to Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces, saying they added to his concerns about Lukwago’s situation.
He claimed that Lukwago’s troubles were linked to his refusal to support or submit to the Museveni family politically.
“Your only crime is refusing to kneel before Museveni and his family,” Kyagulanyi wrote in the emotional message.
The former presidential candidate also recalled how Lukwago visited him at Makindye Military Barracks in 2018 after his arrest during the Arua by-election campaigns.
Kyagulanyi said Lukwago saw him in a painful condition and offered support at a time when he needed it most.
“I remember the day you visited me in Makindye Military Barracks after I was brutally tortured in Arua. You saw me in that condition and wept,” he wrote.
He praised Lukwago for spending much of his legal career defending people who faced accusations related to political activities and human rights issues.
“You’ve spent your life defending victims of injustice. It is sad to see you now enduring the very injustice you defended others from,” Kyagulanyi stated.
The NUP leader explained that he could not personally visit Lukwago because he is currently outside the country.
“I’m sadly unable to come and personally visit and comfort you during this painful time. I wish I could,” he wrote.
Lukwago’s case has attracted national attention because of his background as both a politician and a lawyer who has represented several opposition activists over the years.
The case is connected to the prosecution of Dr Kizza Besigye and Haji Obed Lutale, who were arrested in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2024 after travelling to attend an event involving Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua.
Their supporters have rejected the allegations against them, describing the charges as politically driven.
The latest developments come at a time when Uganda’s opposition has been facing increased debate about political freedoms, security concerns and the future of opposition leadership.
Kyagulanyi’s message to Lukwago highlights the growing tensions between opposition leaders and the government, while supporters of the opposition continue to demand fair treatment and respect for legal rights.
For Kyagulanyi, Lukwago’s detention represents a wider struggle over political space, justice and the ability of opposition figures to operate freely in Uganda.
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