The Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court has further remanded former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago to Luzira Prison after deferring its ruling on his bail application, saying the decision will now be delivered within 24 hours via email.
The ruling, which had initially been expected on Monday afternoon, was instead pushed forward after Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera informed the parties that it was not yet ready.
The court later directed that the decision would be communicated electronically within a day, extending Lukwago’s stay on remand pending the outcome.
Earlier in the day, proceedings took a dramatic turn when court officers entered the courtroom around 2pm and held brief discussions with defence lawyers.
The defence team then moved out of court and proceeded into the Chief Magistrate’s chambers, followed shortly by state prosecutors.
At about 2:53pm, Lukwago was escorted out of the chambers and driven back to Luzira Prison as he awaited the delayed ruling.
His lawyer, Medard Ssegona, later told journalists that the parties had been informed in chambers that the ruling was not ready and would instead be delivered within 24 hours, with the matter scheduled for mention on June 30, 2026.
The case stems from charges of misprision of treason against Lukwago, who was arrested on June 15, 2026, and later remanded to Murchison Bay Prison before being transferred to Luzira. Prosecutors allege that he failed to report information relating to an alleged plot to overthrow the government between 2021 and 2024 in Uganda and Kenya. He has denied the charge.
Earlier submissions before court focused heavily on Lukwago’s health condition, with the defence team led by Medard Ssegona, alongside Joseph Ssewungu, Miriam Nalwoga, Mathias Mpuuga and Proscovia Kunihira, urging the court to grant him bail on medical grounds.
Ssegona told court that Lukwago is suffering from a severe spinal disc condition that has worsened in detention.
"The dislocated disc has accelerated and is causing excruciating pain. It cannot be treated in Luzira or anywhere in Uganda without MRI-guided intervention," Ssegona submitted.
The defence further argued that Lukwago’s condition had deteriorated significantly despite physiotherapy and the provision of an orthopedic mattress while on remand.
They also raised concerns about what they described as a heightened risk of tuberculosis infection in prison, alleging that an active TB patient was being held in the same ward where Lukwago is detained. The lawyers said medical reports indicated a decline in his white blood cell count and a weakened immune system.
"With his fragile health, a TB infection, however minute it might be, would be catastrophic to the suspect," Ssegona told court.
The defence asked the court to either release Lukwago on bail or, in the alternative, order his transfer to Mulago National Referral Hospital for specialised treatment.
However, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions strongly opposed the application. State Attorneys Carol Opiya and Judith Nyamwiza argued that Lukwago should remain in custody due to the gravity of the offence and the ongoing investigations.
They submitted that the charge carries a potential life sentence, creating what they described as a strong incentive for the accused to abscond if released on bail. Prosecutors also argued that Lukwago’s prominence as a senior lawyer and political figure could enable him to interfere with witnesses or compromise investigations.
The state further insisted that Lukwago’s medical condition could be adequately managed within the prison system, pointing to the capacity of the Uganda Prisons Service to provide treatment through Murchison Bay Hospital.
The prosecution also questioned the suitability of the sureties presented by the defence, arguing that the parliamentary figures relied upon did not meet the required threshold for supervision and resided too far away to effectively monitor him.
Chief State Attorney Barbara Masinde asked court to rely on written submissions already filed, stating that all relevant material had been placed before the magistrate.
After hearing both sides, Chief Magistrate Basemera noted that procedural requirements had been met and indicated that the ruling would be delivered later in the afternoon. That position was later reversed, leading to the delay and Lukwago’s return to custody.
The case has drawn widespread political and legal attention due to Lukwago’s profile as a former Kampala Lord Mayor, a senior counsel, and a key figure within the defence team of opposition politician Kizza Besigye, as well as his leadership role in the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF).
The outcome of the bail ruling is expected to determine whether Lukwago remains on remand as investigations continue or is released to await trial under bail conditions.
