LUZIRA — Nnaalongo Zawedde Lubwama, the wife of lawyer and politician Erias Lukwago, has raised concerns over her husband’s deteriorating health while in custody at Machakos Hospital, saying his condition has worsened due to illness and the environment in which he is being held.
She said Lukwago remains very weak and is struggling with breathing complications, which she linked to his time in detention.
“He is currently very weak, largely due to his condition and the environment at Machakos Hospital, where he is being held," Ms Lubwama said.
"The hospital accommodates many patients, including those suffering from TB, which requires him to wear a face mask at all times. However, he has experienced lung and breathing complications since his release from the basement, and wearing the mask appears to worsen his condition."
She added that the family remains hopeful that he will be granted bail and allowed to access proper medical treatment outside custody.
“We are hopeful that he will be granted bail on Monday so that he can leave custody, receive proper medical care, and begin recovering,” she said.
According to Ms Lubwama, Lukwago has already instructed his legal team to ensure that all necessary court documents are filed within the required timelines in preparation for the bail application.
“He has instructed his lawyers to ensure that all the necessary documents are filed on time. We believe that if the prosecution has already submitted its objections to the bail application, our legal team will be able to file a rejoinder by Saturday. This will allow the matter to proceed before the trial magistrate on Monday, when we hope the bail application will be considered,” she added.
The bail application is expected to come up before the trial magistrate on Monday, with family members and supporters expressing hope that he will be released to seek specialised medical care and continue recovery outside custody.
Lukwago was siezed by military operatives on Monday morning from his home in Wakaliga. The former Kampala Lord Mayor was held incommunicado for more than 48 hours amid pressure on security to release him before before taken to Kira Division Police.
On Wednesday, he was charged with misprison of treason before the Makindye Chief Magistrate's Court, the same charges he was battling to free his own clients - including opposition stalwart Kizza Besigye - from.
Lukwago, who is the People's Front for Freedom party president, is believed to have fallen into trouble with the State after moving to sue, on behalf of his client, the Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and the State for what they called abduction of Besigye and his associate Obeid Lutale from Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2024.
Besigye and Lutale have been in custody since November 16, 2024, when they are picked up in Nairobi and driven to Kampala.