Buganda Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga has sharply criticized recent abductions in Uganda, citing the reported arrests of lawyer Erias Lukwago and former Ethics Minister Miria Matembe as examples of growing concern over the country’s adherence to the rule of law.
Speaking during the Buganda Kingdom’s 2026/2027 budget reading, Mayiga warned that unlawful arrests and enforced disappearances risk undermining public confidence in the justice system.
His remarks come amid heightened scrutiny from civil society and political actors over the conduct of security agencies.
“If someone is suspected of breaking the law, they should be summoned to a police station and informed of the allegations against them,” Mayiga said, outlining what he described as the minimum legal standards for handling suspects.
He stressed that arrests, where necessary, must be conducted transparently and in accordance with the law.
“If an arrest is necessary, it should be carried out during the day—not through abduction. The officers making the arrest should clearly identify themselves,” he added.
The Katikkiro further emphasized that suspects must be detained in officially recognized facilities.
“The person should be taken to a gazetted detention facility in accordance with the law,” he noted, calling for accountability within law enforcement agencies.
Mayiga’s comments follow recent incidents involving Lukwago and Matembe, which have sparked public debate and renewed criticism from human rights defenders.
Critics argue that such operations, often carried out by unidentified security personnel, violate constitutional guarantees and due process.
While government officials have in the past defended security operations as necessary for maintaining order, opposition figures and activists maintain that the methods used frequently fall outside legal frameworks.
The Buganda Kingdom has consistently advocated for governance rooted in legality and institutional accountability.
Mayiga’s latest remarks reinforce that position, placing pressure on authorities to address concerns surrounding arbitrary arrests and unlawful detention.