Lumumba Amin, son of Uganda’s former President Idi Amin, has called on the public to stop comparing current security operations involving opposition figures to the rule of his late father, saying such parallels are misleading and often lack context.
His remarks come amid growing political tension following the reported arrest of former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, which has sparked debate and renewed accusations of state overreach.
Opposition figures have drawn parallels between recent security operations and the authoritarian practices of the 1970s, often associated with abductions and military detentions under Idi Amin’s government. But Lumumba said the focus should instead be on whether present-day actions comply with Uganda’s Constitution and legal procedures.
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“A lot of people have been making comments and, all of a sudden, mentioning my late father, President Idi Amin, in something that he is not even responsible for,” he said. “He is not even here. I am a bit perturbed by this sort of association of his name with other people’s actions.”
He argued that any assessment of arrests or detentions should be grounded in law rather than historical comparisons, insisting that clarity on charges and evidence is essential for public accountability.
“If you want to know what the Amin position is on such an incident, the first thing is: What was he arrested for?” he asked. “What exactly is the crime? Under the laws of Uganda, what offence did he commit? What is the evidence? Those are the facts that should be made public.”
Lumumba added that authorities must always ensure transparency in arrests to maintain trust in the justice system, including clearly communicating the legal basis for detention and avoiding arbitrary action.
“Even if he is later released for one reason or another, there must be clarity about exactly why he was arrested. It should be clear that he was not arrested arbitrarily or as an abuse of power.”
His comments come as Lukwago’s reported detention continues to draw criticism from opposition politicians and rights advocates, who say it reflects a wider pattern of political repression.
Lukwago was reportedly taken from his home by armed operatives earlier this week and later transferred to Kira Division Police Station, according to sources familiar with the matter. Authorities have not yet issued a detailed public explanation for the arrest or confirmed the reported charges.
Opposition leaders, including National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, have accused the state of using heavy-handed tactics against government critics.
“You can abduct and torture him, but you cannot break his resolve,” Kyagulanyi said, adding that Uganda’s security agencies were repeating methods reminiscent of past military regimes.
Former Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda also weighed in, arguing that if Lukwago is to be detained, it should be within the formal prison system rather than in undisclosed military custody.
Meanwhile, the Uganda Human Rights Commission has reiterated that all security agencies must operate within constitutional limits during arrests and detention.
“Every institution involved in law enforcement has a duty to ensure that constitutional rights are respected throughout the arrest and detention process,” said Pauline Nansamba Mutumba, the commission’s director for complaints, investigations, and legal services.
The Lukwago case has intensified debate over constitutional governance, military involvement in civilian arrests, and alleged violations of due process, with opposition leaders now calling for parliamentary scrutiny of recent security operations.
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