Kampala– Lawyers under their umbrella Association of Uganda Law society (ULS), have written to the Chief of Defence Forces of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) seeking for unconditional release of former Kampala Lord Mayor, Advocate Erias Lukwago who was arrested on Monday morning at his home in Wakaliga, Rubaga Division, Kampala district.
During a press briefing held at Uganda Law society headquarters, on Monday afternoon, Mr. Ssali Babu,the Acting General Secretary Mr. Ssali Babu revealed that their protest letter addressed to CDF and other top Government officials has been duly served to all relevant individuals.
In this letter, they asked for unconditional release of Lawyer Erias Lukwago, disclosure of his place of detention, access to his family members and a commitment that no any other legal practitioner will be arrested while on duty.
“We already sought for a meeting with the top army leadership about the treatment of advocates on duty , but no response was provided to us.”
Ssali also states that, they need that engagement as soon as possible because they want to bring out a number of issues that need to be addressed with immediate effect in order to provide a conducive working environment for all legal practioners country wide.
He stated that once all the above demands are not fulfilled within the set time frame, they will be left with no option rather than seeking legal redress from local, Regional and international Courts of law.
Addressing the press at the same conference, Martha Karua with whom Lukwago represents Col Rtd Kiiza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale in a treason case before High Court in Kampala, called upon President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to intervene and have Lukwago released as soon as possible
Efforts are underway by Lukwago’s relatives and lawyers to establish his whereabouts as they continue to visit various Police Stations and other detention centers.
