Former Kampala Lord Mayor and lawyer Erias Lukwago was allegedly confined in the same cell with a tuberculosis (TB) patient while on remand, his legal team told the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Representing Lukwago, Medard Lubega Sseggona informed Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera that his client’s health had steadily worsened during detention, making him highly susceptible to infections.
Sseggona said recent medical tests revealed a decline in Lukwago’s white blood cell count, weakening his immune system and reducing his body’s ability to fight disease.
Although he acknowledged efforts by prison authorities to attend to Lukwago’s medical needs, Sseggona argued that congestion at the detention facility remained a serious concern, particularly because Lukwago’s ward is situated near a section designated for TB patients.
“There is a real risk of tuberculosis infection because the room where Mr. Lukwago is being held is close to the TB treatment ward,” Sseggona submitted. He further claimed that prison officials later placed a TB patient in the same room as Lukwago despite his fragile condition.
The lawyer also told court that Lukwago’s spinal problem had deteriorated. According to Sseggona, the former mayor suffers from a dislocated disc that has left him in severe pain and requires specialized assessment unavailable within the prison health system.
He said the defence possesses a letter from the Director of Medical Services at a referral hospital recommending an MRI-guided examination and treatment, explaining that such services cannot be accessed inside Luzira Prison.
Sseggona requested court permission for Lukwago to undergo further medical evaluation, including an MRI scan at Mulago National Referral Hospital.
Despite raising concerns, Sseggona praised prison authorities for facilitating treatment for his client, noting that they had provided him with a mattress and ensured he received medical attention at Murchison Bay Hospital.
“The doctors have continued monitoring him, and we appreciate their efforts, Your Worship,” he said.
However, Uganda Prisons Service spokesperson Senior Commissioner Frank Baine dismissed claims that a TB patient had been housed with Lukwago, describing the allegations as “attempts to attract public sympathy.”
Bail Application Nears Determination
Regarding the pending bail application, Sseggona said the defence had complied with all directions issued by court. He explained that prosecutors filed their written submissions on Friday, while the defence submitted its rejoinder through the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) on Saturday, accompanied by additional documents, including an LC1 introduction letter requested by court.
State prosecutors confirmed compliance with the timelines but questioned why the defence was making fresh oral submissions concerning Lukwago’s health, arguing that such matters had not been included in the agreed written submissions.
Sseggona responded that the health concerns had emerged recently and were too urgent to ignore.
After hearing both sides, Chief Magistrate Basemera announced that her ruling on the bail application would be delivered at 2:00 pm.
Lukwago, who serves as president of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), is charged with misprision of treason under Section 25 of the Penal Code Act.
Prosecutors allege that between 2021 and November 2024, while in Uganda and Kenya, Lukwago became aware of an alleged plot by his clients, Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, along with others, to overthrow the government but failed to report the information to authorities or take steps to stop the purported plan.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has opposed his release, arguing that the offence attracts a potential life sentence and that granting bail could increase the likelihood of absconding or witness interference.
Prosecutors have also challenged the medical grounds advanced by the defence, maintaining that Lukwago’s condition can be adequately managed through the Uganda Prisons Service and Murchison Bay Hospital.
They further questioned the suitability of his proposed sureties, among them Gulu City Woman MP Betty Aol Ocan, Buikwe South MP Michael Lulume Bayiga, and Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze Bakireke.
Lukwago was arrested on June 15, 2026. Prior to his arrest, he was part of the legal team representing Besigye and Kamulegeya in their treason proceedings.
Karua Turned Back at Entebbe
In a related development, Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua was reportedly denied entry into Uganda upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport.
According to the Uganda Law Society, Karua, who leads Besigye’s defence team, had travelled to Uganda to express solidarity with Lukwago.
The society stated that while other members of her travelling party were allowed into the country, Karua was instructed to return to Kenya.
Sources familiar with the matter suggested the decision was linked to the scope of her legal accreditation in Uganda, noting that she had only been authorized by the Law Council to participate in Besigye’s case and not in proceedings involving Lukwago.
Besigye and Kamulegeya were arrested in Nairobi in November 2024 during an event at which Karua had reportedly organized a book launch. The state alleges the pair travelled to Kenya to coordinate activities aimed at overthrowing the Ugandan government, an accusation both men deny.
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