KAMPALA, Uganda — Former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has been taken to Mulago National Referral Hospital in critical condition, his family has told Vivid Voice News, renewing concerns about the health of the detained opposition politician.
The family told Vivid Voice News reporter Michael Wandati on Monday, October 19, that Lukwago’s condition was critical after he was taken to hospital. The cause of the latest medical emergency, his diagnosis and the treatment being administered had not been publicly disclosed by the time of publication.
The Uganda Prisons Service had not issued a public statement on the development by press time. Attempts by Vivid Voice News to obtain a response from prisons spokesperson Frank Baine were unsuccessful.
The hospitalisation comes as Lukwago pursues a fresh application for bail, citing prolonged detention and the need for specialised medical treatment. His lawyer, Medard Lubega Sseggona, was reported to have said Lukwago had been transferred to Mulago from the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) in Lubowa for further medical attention.
Health concerns and bail application
In an amended application before the High Court’s Criminal Division in Kampala, Lukwago is seeking mandatory bail, arguing that he has spent more than 60 days on remand without trial and requires specialised treatment that he says cannot adequately be provided while he remains in custody.
His medical concerns include a post-operative review of cervical spine surgery previously performed in India, alongside assessment and treatment for other conditions. His legal team has previously reported severe pain around the site of the operation and physical weakness.
A medical assessment reported earlier this year recommended further review by his spine surgeons in India. Specialists identified persistent upper-limb radiculitis and reduced strength in his left arm.
Doctors also deferred a further magnetic resonance imaging scan because they could not confirm whether an artificial disc implanted during his earlier surgery was compatible with the available scanners.
The latest hospital transfer adds to concerns raised by Lukwago’s lawyers about his medical needs in detention. However, the reason for Monday’s reported emergency and the extent of his current condition remain unclear.
Lukwago was previously transferred to Mulago in June following a court directive requiring prison authorities to facilitate medical assessment and treatment. He has since made repeated attempts to secure bail on health-related grounds.
Detention linked to Besigye treason case
Lukwago was arrested on June 15, 2026, after armed security personnel reportedly raided his home in Wakaliga, Kampala, and took him away.
His whereabouts remained unclear for more than two days, prompting concern from his family and associates over his detention and access to legal assistance.
He was produced in court on June 17 and charged with misprision of treason, an offence involving the failure to report knowledge of alleged treasonous activity. He denied the charge.
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Prosecutors allege that Lukwago knew of an alleged plot involving opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye and other figures but failed to report it to the authorities. The allegations remain subject to court proceedings.
Lukwago had been representing Besigye in the treason case before his own arrest. His detention complicated Besigye’s efforts to proceed with lawyers of his choice, an issue that featured in court proceedings before Besigye’s health deteriorated.
Besigye’s hospitalisation raises further concerns
Lukwago’s latest reported medical emergency comes amid continuing concern over Besigye’s health while in detention.
Besigye collapsed during his treason trial in July and was taken to Mulago for emergency treatment. He was discharged on August 7 and returned to Luzira Prison, despite objections from his wife, Winnie Byanyima, who said he remained too weak to walk, speak or care for himself.
His discharge prompted a dispute between the family and authorities over whether he was medically fit to leave hospital. Byanyima has continued to raise concerns about his condition and access to appropriate care.
Besigye has not attended subsequent court proceedings, with the High Court allowing his trial to continue in his absence.
The two cases are separate, but the health concerns surrounding both detained opposition figures have intensified scrutiny of the medical care available to people held on remand.
For Lukwago, the immediate questions remain what triggered the latest emergency, whether his condition has stabilised and what further treatment doctors consider necessary. No official medical update had been made public by press time.
