Court in Kampala has for the second time denied jailed former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago bail which he had sought to enable him travel to India for specialised medical treatment that he says he urgently needs to save his life.
In a ruling delivered on Thursday, Justice David Matovu of the High Court in Kampala held that although Lukwago had satisfied most of the legal requirements for bail, his application lacked a certified medical report from prison authorities confirming that the prison medical services were unable to manage his condition.
“The court finds that the applicant meets most of the requirements to be admitted on bail save for the lack of medical documents certified by the medical officer at the prison where the applicant is being held confirming that the prison medical services are not capable of treating the applicant,” Justice Matovu ruled.
The judge further noted that the application had been filed in relation to a criminal case before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court that had since ceased to exist following Lukwago’s committal to the High Court for trial. He said a fresh case file was yet to be allocated by the Deputy Registrar of the High Court.
“In the final result, and considering the missing medical report duly certified by a person authorised in law to issue such a report and also the fact that this application was filed in relation to Makindye Chief Magistrates Court Criminal Case No. 0762 of 2026, which case no longer exists, and that the Deputy Registrar of this court is yet to allocate a freshly committed case file relating to the applicant, this court will exercise its discretion by not granting bail in order to give whichever judge that will be allocated this matter to effectively manage the case,” the judge ruled.
The decision marks the second unsuccessful attempt by Lukwago, the president of the opposition People’s Forum for Freedom (PFF), to secure temporary release on bail for medical reasons.
Mr Lukwago has been on remand at Luzira Prison since June 17 after being charged with misprision of treason before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court. His first application for bail before the lower court was rejected.
In his latest application, Mr Lukwago said he suffers from several chronic illnesses, including hypertension, cylindrical bronchiectasis, irreversible persistent anosmia, tinnitus, residual cervical radiculitis, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and hiatus hernia.
He told court that a team of five specialists at Mulago National Referral Hospital had recommended that he undergo specialised spinal review and treatment by his primary spine surgeons in India.
Lukwago also argued that he is 56 years old, has a fixed place of residence in Bulwa Zone, Wakaliga, Rubaga Division, Kampala, and had presented substantial sureties, including Mukono Municipality MP Betty Namboze.
However, Chief State Attorney Joseph Kyomuhendo opposed the application, arguing that Lukwago could interfere with prosecution witnesses because he knows them. The prosecution also maintained that he posed a flight risk given the gravity of the charge, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment upon conviction.
State prosecutors further submitted that Mr Lukwago had not proved that the prison health system was incapable of managing his medical condition.
Mr Lukwago has since been committed to the High Court to stand trial during the next convenient criminal session.
According to the prosecution, Mr Lukwago knew of an alleged plot by his long-time political ally, Dr Kizza Besigye, to overthrow the government but failed to report it to the authorities.
The State alleges that, as leader of the PFF, Mr Lukwago knew that Dr Besigye and Hajj Obeid Lutale had travelled to Nairobi for a secret meeting where a plan to assassinate the President using drones was discussed but failed to inform security agencies.
Prosecutors also contend that Mr Lukwago facilitated the travel of 32 recruits to Nairobi for alleged military training and was aware of meetings held outside Uganda where plans to overthrow the government by force were discussed.
The prosecution also alleges that Mr Lukwago, Dr Besigye, Hajj Lutale and others acted with a common intention to commit offences relating to treason.