Former Kampala Lord Mayor and President of the People's Front for Freedom (PFF), Erias Lukwago, has been committed to the High Court for trial on a charge of misprision of treason after appearing physically before the Makindye Chief Magistrate's Court on Thursday looking visibly frail.
Lukwago, who skipped court last week reportedly due to ill-health, was escorted to court under tight security as the prosecution concluded committal proceedings for the offence.
The former Lord Mayor appeared frail and was noticeably weak throughout the proceedings as his lawyers renewed concerns over his deteriorating health and the need for specialised treatment.
The state accuses Lukwago of failing to report information relating to an alleged plot to overthrow the Government of Uganda by force of arms.
According to the prosecution, Lukwago, by virtue of his position as leader of the PFF, knew of activities involving senior party members but failed to alert security authorities as required by law.
PFF founder and leader Dr Kizza Besigye and his associate Hajj Obeid Lutale were in November 2024 siezed from a hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, and are facing the similar charges before the High Court.
Prosecutors allege that Lukwago was aware of Dr Besigye's and Lutale's travels to Nairobi where they allegedly met individuals suspected of facilitating the alleged plot.
Court presided over by Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera heard that on September 29, 2024, Besigye and an individual identified as AW allegedly agreed to organise a meeting in Nairobi where Besigye was to meet AW's alleged Kurdish contact.
The prosecution said the communication was conducted through WhatsApp and that chat records, together with other electronic evidence, will be presented during the High Court trial.
The state further alleges that on November 16, 2024, Besigye, Lutale, AW and the alleged Kurdish contact met at Riverside Apartments in Nairobi to discuss plans to overthrow the government by force of arms.
According to the prosecution, Besigye introduced Lutale as his personal assistant and a participant in the alleged plan before requesting surface-to-air missiles and other weapons capable of targeting aircraft and helicopters, while also discussing strategies to cause civil unrest in Uganda.
The prosecution also alleges that Lukwago knew other individuals, including Joel Wakaima and Frank Herrera Kolda, had approached AW seeking assistance in the alleged plan but did not report the information to authorities.
Court heard that on November 17, 2024, Besigye and Lutale were intercepted at the Malaba border and handed over to Ugandan security officials together with exhibits that allegedly included mobile phones, firearms and ammunition.
The two were initially charged before the General Court Martial in Makindye before the case was transferred to the Uganda Police Force following the Supreme Court decision that barred the trial of civilians in military courts.
Fresh investigations commenced in February 2025, resulting in treason and conspiracy to commit treason charges against Besigye, Lutale and Captain Owelale Shoya.
The prosecution said it intends to rely on immigration records, travel documents, electronic communications, forensic examination reports and audio-visual recordings allegedly obtained from meetings involving the suspects.
It further told court that AW, described as a covert source, secretly recorded some of the meetings before sharing the material with intelligence officers and surrendering the recording devices for forensic examination.
The offence of misprision of treason, under Section 25 of the Penal Code Act, relates to knowingly concealing information about an intended act of treason and failing to report it to authorities within a reasonable time.
Before the case was committed to the High Court, Lukwago's lawyers, led by Busiro East MP Medard Lubega Ssegona, renewed their plea for specialised medical treatment, saying their client suffers complications arising from previous spinal surgery, hypertension, respiratory difficulties, acid reflux and balance-related problems.
The defence has argued that Lukwago requires urgent specialised treatment in India and cannot adequately receive the care he needs while in custody. A medical assessment by Mulago National Referral Hospital had earlier been ordered by the court following concerns raised by his legal team.
On Wednesday, Lukwago's family held Duwa prayers at their home in Wakaliga, where his wife, Zawedde Lubwama, appealed to authorities to allow him access to specialised treatment.
Lukwago has denied the accusations, maintaining that the charges are politically motivated. His case will now proceed to the High Court for trial.