Erias Lukwago Returns to Law Practice After 15 Years as Kampala Mayor

Former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has officially returned to full-time legal practice after ending his 15-year tenure at City Hall, marking a major transition in the career of one of Uganda’s most prominent opposition politicians.

Lukwago, 56, resumed work this week at Lukwago and Co. Advocates, the law firm he founded in 1998 and where he built his reputation as a constitutional and human rights lawyer long before entering elective politics.

The former Lord Mayor shared photos from his first day back at the chambers on Tuesday, May 13, posting images of himself seated at his workstation and describing the moment as “DAY ONE” as a full-time legal practitioner once again.

Lukwago formally handed over office on May 11 after losing the January 2026 Kampala Lord Mayoral race, bringing to an end a turbulent political era that began in 2011 when he became the city’s first executive Lord Mayor under the Kampala Capital City Authority structure.

In the election, National Unity Platform candidate Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga emerged victorious with 141,220 votes, while Lukwago finished third with 41,915 votes.

Throughout his years at City Hall, Lukwago became known for his fierce clashes with central government officials, repeated disputes over city budgets and authority, and legal battles surrounding the management of Kampala. He often described his leadership experience as “riding an unruly horse,” a reflection of the constant political confrontations that defined much of his administration.

Despite the controversies, Lukwago remained one of the country’s most recognizable opposition figures, earning support from sections of the urban poor and legal fraternity for his outspoken defense of constitutionalism, civil liberties, and accountability.

His return to legal practice has sparked mixed reactions online. Supporters described the move as the beginning of a “successful new chapter,” arguing that Lukwago’s courtroom experience and political background make him one of Uganda’s most influential legal minds.

Others, however, questioned how effective legal practice can be in Uganda’s current political environment, where opposition lawyers and activists frequently complain about pressure, intimidation, and delays within the justice system.

Before becoming Lord Mayor, Lukwago served as Member of Parliament for Kampala Central and built a strong reputation through constitutional petitions and human rights litigation. His law firm has handled numerous politically sensitive cases over the years.

Although he has stepped away from elected office for now, political observers believe Lukwago is unlikely to completely disappear from Uganda’s political scene, given his long-standing activism and influence within opposition politics.