Lukwago: From defence lawyer to treason suspect

Former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who has spent months defending a treason suspect in court, has now found himself facing similar charges.

Lukwago was on Wednesday charged with misprision of treason, an offence relating to allegations that a person failed to report knowledge of plans to unlawfully overthrow or change the government to relevant authorities.

The charge places Lukwago alongside other suspects, including opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye, Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, Frank Kihehere and Joel Wakayima, who are also facing treason-related charges.

Lukwago’s appearance before court followed days of uncertainty over his whereabouts after reports that he had been arrested by security operatives attached to the Special Forces Command (SFC) from his Wakaliga home on Monday.

He later resurfaced at Kira Division Police Station, where he recorded a statement before being produced in Makindye Magistrate Court.

Lukwago denied the charges and was remanded to Luzira Prison until Monday, June 22, 2026.

His lawyer, Medard Lubega Sseggona, asked court to consider Lukwago’s medical condition, saying that if bail was not granted, he should be allowed to carry an orthopedic mattress to prison because of his back problem.

The development has attracted criticism from Lukwago’s political party, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), which described his arrest as a transformation from defender to accused person.

“Counsel Erias Lukwago has spent the last 579 days fiercely defending Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale against state-sponsored charges. Today, the defender has become the prosecuted,” the party said.

The party accused government institutions of being used to target dissent, saying Lukwago was now facing the same charges as his former clients.

Lukwago, a senior lawyer and opposition politician, has previously represented several opposition figures in legal battles involving the state.

The case will return to court on Monday for mention of his case and ruling on bail application.

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