KAMPALA, Uganda — People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) leader and former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has been denied bail by the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court, with the court ruling that the interests of ongoing investigations outweigh arguments advanced by the defence for his temporary release.
The decision, delivered on Tuesday 23, June 2026 by Chief Magistrate Sarah Anne Basemera, marks a significant development in a case that has attracted intense political, legal and public scrutiny both within Uganda and across the East African region.
While acknowledging concerns about Lukwago’s health, the court concluded that investigators still require adequate time to complete inquiries into the treason-related case and that releasing the veteran opposition politician at this stage could present challenges to the investigative process.
In her ruling, Magistrate Basemera accepted medical evidence presented by the defence showing that Lukwago suffers from several documented health conditions, including hypertension, chronic gastritis, tinnitus and complications associated with cervical spine surgery previously undertaken in India.
“The medical evidence undoubtedly weighs in the applicant’s favour,” the magistrate noted.
However, the court found no evidence that the Uganda Prisons Service was incapable of facilitating specialised medical care for Lukwago while he remains on remand.
As a result, the court ordered prison authorities to transfer him to Mulago National Referral Hospital within 24 hours for a comprehensive medical assessment and any treatment deemed necessary by medical professionals.
The court further directed that Lukwago’s wife and one lawyer of his choice be granted access to him during the treatment process.
Lukwago’s legal team, led by Busiro East MP and lawyer Medard Ssegona, had urged the court to grant bail on medical and humanitarian grounds.
The defence argued that Lukwago’s health had deteriorated during detention and cited concerns about his treatment during the period following his arrest when his whereabouts were not immediately known to family members and colleagues.
Lawyers also highlighted concerns about prison conditions and warned that continued incarceration posed additional health risks for the opposition politician.
The submissions came a day after the defence raised fears that Lukwago could be exposed to tuberculosis infection while on remand, arguing that his existing medical condition makes him particularly vulnerable to serious complications.
Despite denying bail, the court accepted all three sureties presented by the defence as substantial and suitable.
The sureties included Gulu City Woman MP Betty Aol Ocan, Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze Bakireke and Buikwe South MP Dr Michael Phillip Lulume Bayiga.
However, Magistrate Basemera ruled that the suitability of sureties alone was insufficient to justify release given the nature and scope of the investigations.
According to the prosecution, inquiries into the alleged offences remain ongoing and involve multiple suspects, events spanning several years and activities extending beyond Uganda’s borders into neighbouring Kenya.
The state further argued that Lukwago’s standing as a Senior Advocate, former Lord Mayor and prominent national political figure gives him extensive networks and influence that could potentially affect the investigation process.
The magistrate was careful to clarify that the court was not accusing Lukwago of interfering with investigations or witnesses.
“This Court makes no finding whatsoever that the applicant has interfered or intends to interfere with witnesses or investigations,” Basemera ruled.
“The Court’s concern is prospective.”
She added that courts must strike a balance between an accused person’s constitutional right to liberty and society’s broader interest in ensuring that criminal investigations are completed without avoidable risks.
The ruling mirrors arguments previously advanced by prosecutors in the separate but related treason case involving opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye and his aide Hajji Obeid Lutale.
Ironically, Lukwago is one of the lead lawyers representing Besigye and Lutale and is expected to return to court on June 30, the same day the two opposition figures are also scheduled to appear.
Prosecutors allege that between 2021 and November 2024, in Kampala and Nairobi, Lukwago became aware of an alleged treason plot involving Besigye, Lutale and others but failed to report the information to authorities or take reasonable steps to prevent the alleged offence.
Also Read: Inside Uganda’s explosive treason case involving lawyer Erias Lukwago
He has been charged with misprision of treason and denies the accusations.
The prosecution of Lukwago has generated significant debate within Uganda’s legal community because the allegations are linked to information he allegedly obtained while acting in his professional capacity as an advocate.
His lawyers argue that criminalising communications between lawyers and clients risks undermining attorney-client privilege and the constitutional right to legal representation.
The case has also attracted condemnation from the Uganda Law Society, the East Africa Law Society and legal bodies in Kenya, which have questioned the implications of the charges for legal practice and the independence of the legal profession.
With bail denied, attention is now expected to shift to Lukwago’s medical assessment at Mulago Hospital and his scheduled return to court later this month as one of Uganda’s most closely watched political and legal cases continues to unfold.
