Don’t Gamble With Lukwago’s Life!” Lawyers Battle For Bail As Court Defers Hearing

Lawyer and former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has been remanded to Luzira (Murchison Bay) Prison after appearing before court on charges of misprision of treason.

His lawyers were led by Medard Ssegona Lubega. The others include Proscovia Kinihira, Samuel Muyizzi, Muhammed Nsereko, Mathias Mpuuga among others.

They launched a detailed bail application on the grounds that it is his constitutional right, he has critical medical conditions and is a long-standing public profile.

Lukwago was charged with allegedly knowing about plans to overthrow the government but failing to disclose the information to relevant authorities. He pleaded not guilty.

Prosecution told court that between 2021 and 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, and Kampala Uganda, Lukwago, together with others including Kizza Besigye, Joel Wakayima and Frank Atukunda, allegedly became aware of treason-related plans but failed to report the information to authorities.

After the charges were read, Lukwago’s lawyers applied for bail, arguing that he qualifies for release under the Constitution and established principles governing bail applications.

Leading the defence submissions, lawyer Ssegona told court that bail is a constitutional right under Article 23 and that the accused remains innocent until proven guilty.

Ssegona argued that the seriousness of the allegations against Lukwago does not automatically remove his right to apply for bail.

He told court that the gravity of the offence cannot override constitutional protections and that every accused person must be considered on the basis of the law and individual circumstances.

The defence argued that Lukwago has a fixed place of abode namely his residence in Wakaliga, Rubaga Division, is well known to court as an advocate who has consistently operated under Lukwago and Company Advocates. Ssegona also stated that the accused is currently defending a suspect, Dr. Kizza Besigye on a treason case, whose mention resumes on June 30, 2026. Besigye and co-accused Obeid Lutale face treason charges.

Ssegona further told court that Lukwago is a recognised political leader, has no criminal record and has always honoured legal obligations.

He maintained that Lukwago is not a flight risk, arguing that he remains actively involved in legal matters and continues to operate openly within Uganda. He noted his ongoing involvement in the case involving Besigye, as evidence that he has no intention of escaping court processes.

A major part of the bail application focused on Lukwago’s medical condition.

Ssegona told court that Lukwago suffers from critical health conditions that require specialised attention which may not be readily available under normal prison conditions.

The defence informed court that Lukwago suffers from hypertension, respiratory ailments affecting his breathing, and spinal complications requiring neurological intervention.

They said he requires a properly ventilated environment, consistent medical monitoring and persistent medical care.

The lawyers explained that Lukwago cannot take normal meals like other inmates, saying he must eat small quantities at particular intervals, followed by specific medication under medical supervision.

The defence presented medical documents relating to Lukwago’s condition.

Ssegona presented a summary of medical information showing that Lukwago had been diagnosed with left-sided neuroforaminal stenosis, with a medical recommendation for surgical decompression.

The defence argued that the medical evidence before court demonstrated that Lukwago requires special management and should not be exposed to conditions that could worsen his health.

The lawyers asked court to grant Lukwago bail, describing it as a matter of life and death.

However, they also presented alternative prayers in case court declined to release him.

They asked that Lukwago be referred to a hospital or medical facility where he can receive treatment while under security supervision.

They also asked court to direct Uganda Prisons to allow him access to an orthopaedic mattress and cardiac bed because these items are necessary for his medical condition.

The defence told court that during a previous incarceration by the military, Lukwago was denied access to similar medical equipment after prison authorities allegedly considered the items a luxury.

They said the denial affected his health, forcing him to lie on the floor, which he could only tolerate for about 20 minutes.

The lawyers further asked that Lukwago be allowed access to his specialised meals and that his medical records remain private because they contain sensitive personal information.

The prosecution team asked court for more time before responding fully to the bail application.

The state said some documents relating to the proposed sureties were missing, including local council letters and introduction letters.

Prosecution said it needed time to examine the large volume of documents presented by the defence and verify the information provided.

The state also questioned the medical grounds raised by the defence, arguing that Uganda Prisons has competent medical personnel and specialised doctors capable of handling inmates with health conditions.

The prosecution argued that unless prison authorities officially communicate that they cannot manage Lukwago’s medical condition, court should not assume that he cannot receive treatment while in custody.

The state instead prayed that prison authorities provide Lukwago with the required medical equipment, including an orthopaedic mattress and cardiac bed.

In response, Ssegona accused the state of delaying the matter and questioned why it would be difficult to allow Lukwago access to his own medical equipment and specialised meals.

He told court that the defence only learnt that Lukwago had been taken to Kira Police Station at about 11am, and preliminary information indicated that he would be presented before Nakawa Court.

Ssegona said the defence had not even received a copy of the charge sheet before prosecution began raising objections to the bail application.

On the issue of sureties, Ssegona argued that local council letters are not a legal requirement but only an administrative practice provided for in bail guidelines.

He said the sureties had provided important identification documents, including parliamentary identification cards, which are government property and can be verified digitally.

The lawyer argued that the medical documents were already before court and the state could easily confirm Lukwago’s health condition instead of requesting unnecessary delays.

He questioned whether the prosecutor, who is female, had personally visited the male prison facilities to determine the actual conditions in which Lukwago would be kept.

Ssegona warned court against allowing the state to “experiment” with Lukwago’s life by keeping him in custody while medical issues remained unresolved.

He requested that even if court needed time to consider the application, Lukwago should remain in a medical facility under security supervision.

Sureties Presented

The defence presented several proposed sureties to support Lukwago’s bail application.

Among them was Betty Aol Ochan, a former Leader of Opposition and Gulu City Woman MP.

Her documents included a national identity card and parliamentary identification card.

The defence also presented PFF deputy president Richard Lulume, aged 56, from Ngoma Division, Mukono District.

Another proposed surety was Florence Nambooze, aged 57, a five-term Mukono Municipality Member of Parliament.

The defence presented parliamentary identification documents for some sureties but acknowledged that some local council letters were not available.

Ssegona argued that the absence of LC letters should not defeat the application because the sureties had provided other official identification documents.

Ssegona futher stated that the police surgeon had examined Lukwago, but the medical report was not yet available at the time of the hearing.

Ssegona asked court not to allow delays while waiting for reports, arguing that Lukwago’s health required immediate attention.

The defence requested a one-day adjournment to allow the accused to be held in a medical facility under security supervision.

Court Gives Directions

However, court Magistrate directed that the prosecution examines the documents in two days until Friday this week and remanded Lukwago to Murchison Bay Prison.

The court directed that the defence lawyers make arrangements with prison authorities for access to an orthopaedic mattress and cardiac bed.

The state was told to file its response electronically and serve the defence.

The defence agreed and committed to file a response by Saturdayfter receiving the state’s submissions.

The matter was scheduled for mention on Monday, June 22, 2026 at 10am.

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