Category: Daily Monitor

Ugandan defender Jovia Nakirya has challenged her teammates to defend the Cecafa U-17 Women’s Championship after they completed the group stages with maximum points.

Uganda beat Djibouti 13-0 on Sunday then Zanzibar 3-0 on Tuesday, owing to goals from Shadia Nabirye, Immaculate Acen, and Justine Ayerango, to qualify for the semifinals with a match to spare.

In that match on Thursday, Uganda beat South Sudan – who ended as group runners-up with six points – 4-0 with braces from Nabirye and Ayerango to finish with nine points and as group winners.

“I am happy that we have won all group games and as defenders, we are glad that we have done so without conceding any goals,” Nakirya said.

The defender like most thought Uganda will play Tanzania in the semis and promised they were ready to deal with their aggression.

Coach Sheryl Botes, who felt her team passed with flying colours the height and physical challenges South Sudan posed also thought Uganda were set to meet Tanzania and even “tried two formations against South Sudan that we intend to use against Tanzania.”

She also challenged her team attempt to convert from setpieces.

Cecafa at it

However, Tanzania were controversially named Group A winners and will now face South Sudan instead. Tanzania beat Somalia 4-0 on Saturday, Sudan 10-0 on Monday and drew 1-1 with Kenya on Wednesday.

Kenya beat Somalia 6-0 on Monday. However, their opening game with Sudan is the cause of controversy.

Kenya were leading 16-0 in the 54th minute when the match was called to a halt after five Sudanese players including their goalkeeper hit the floor claiming injuries.

Interestingly, the latter had also exhausted all their substitutions at this point. The referee had no option but to call off the game as per Law 3 of football which requires a team to have at least seven players on pitch or forfeit the game.

The Cecafa rules guarantee a 3-0 win to the other team in case one forfeits the game. However, this decision was not taken swiftly as Cecafa’s own match-report on Monday has Kenya as Group A leaders (with 22 goals scored as the 16-0 lead was taken into account). Tanzania, who had at this point scored 14 goals in two games, were considered second.

Cecafa’s interim executive director Jean Sseninde confirmed Kenya’s 16-goal efforts were truncated to a 3-0 win as the match is considered abandoned.

That means Uganda will now meet a familiar foe in coach Mildred Cheche’s Kenya and hope to serve some revenge. Kenya ejected Uganda on away goals rule after a 1-1 aggregate draw when they met in the penultimate round of the 2026 Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers last month.

Kenya must also have hoped to face South Sudan but fortunately for all semifinalists, they have two rest days to prepare before they return to action at KMC Stadium on Sunday.

CECAFA U-17 WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

SUNDAY: SEMIFINALS, KMC STADIUM

Uganda vs. Kenya, 1pm

Tanzania vs. South Sudan, 4pm

Former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago was yesterday charged with misprision of treason, becoming one of the few lawyers who have been charged with a similar offence to the clients he has been representing. He was charged two days after he was abducted by armed men from his Wakaliga home in Rubaga Division, Kampala.

Misprision of treason is the criminal offence of knowing that someone has committed or is planning treason, and deliberately failing to report it to the authorities. Unlike treason, which involves actively betraying your country, misprision is about concealing the information or staying silent when you have a duty to speak.

Yesterday, the prosecutors claimed that between 2021 and November 2024, Lukwago knew that Dr Kizza Besigye, Joel Wakayima, Frank Kihehere Atukunda and Mr Obeid Lutale intended to commit treason, but failed to report the information to authorities.

A review of witness statements that have so far been disclosed in court in the Besigye treason case shows that Mr Lukwago’s name appears once in the testimony of Andrew Wilson, also known as Orlando, an American national who claims to operate a company involved in investigations and tactical firearms training.

In his statement to investigators, Wilson recounts a series of alleged interactions with Wakayima, Opposition politician Salaam Musumba and later Dr Besigye. The witness claims that after being introduced to Ms Musumba through Wakayima, they discussed plans that included training individuals in journalism and covert communications to gather intelligence on government officials and supporters. It is during this account that Mr Lukwago’s name surfaces.

According to Wilson, Ms Musumba proposed holding a meeting in Brussels and indicated that she intended to invite several people, including Mr Lukwago, former Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, Lubega Mukaku and political analyst Charles Rwomushana. ‘Salaam then requested Joel Wakayima to put me in contact with Dr Besigye, which Joel did. Indeed, on a date I cannot recall, we had an online meeting with Dr Besigye, which led to a physical meeting a few weeks later in Geneva, Switzerland,’ Mr Wilson avers in his police statement.

He adds, ‘In my first physical meeting with Dr Besigye, he asked me to help him to set up militant networks in Uganda to cause destabilisation of the country. Here, I met Dr Kizza Besigye with Joel Wakayima and Frank Kihehere Atukunda. I booked and paid for Dr Kizza Besigye’s flight from Entebbe to Geneva as he had requested.’ However, Wilson’s police statement does not indicate that the proposed meeting took place, nor does it allege that Mr Lukwago attended any meeting with him.

Neither does the witness claim that Mr Lukwago participated in discussions concerning militant activity, intelligence gathering, or efforts to destabilise the government. The allegations regarding militant networks arise later in Wilson’s police statement and relate to a separate meeting he says took place in Geneva, Switzerland, involving Dr Besigye, Wakayima and Atukunda.

Notably, Mr Lukwago is not mentioned as having attended the Geneva meeting.

What is misprision of treason?

Misprision of treason is a criminal offence that arises when a person knows that another individual has committed, is committing, or intends to commit treason but deliberately fails to report that information to the authorities.

Unlike treason, which involves direct participation in acts aimed at overthrowing or waging war against the government, misprision of treason does not require active involvement in the alleged plot.

Instead, the offence focuses on concealment or silence.

Under Ugandan law, a person can be charged with misprision of treason if they are aware of plans to commit treason and fail to disclose that information to a minister, a magistrate, the administrative officer, or a police officer in charge of a station.

The prosecution is mandated to prove that the accused person had actual knowledge that treason was being planned or had been committed, and also that the accused deliberately failed to report that information to the relevant authorities.

The offence is distinct from being an accomplice or co-conspirator. A person charged with misprision of treason is not accused of participating in the alleged treasonous activities but of withholding information about them.

The charge is relatively rare in Uganda and has only occasionally been invoked in politically sensitive prosecutions involving allegations of threats to national security.

Of life imprisonment

Section 25 of the Penal Code Act that addresses the concealment of treason, provides that: “Any person who knowing that any person intends to commit treason does not give information thereof with all reasonable dispatch to the Minister, an administrative officer, a magistrate or an officer in charge of a police station, or use all reasonable endeavours to prevent the commission of the offence of treason commits the offence of misprision of treason and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life.”

Misprision of treason attracts up to imprisonment for life, while treason attracts up to death by hanging.

Misprision of treason can be handled by a Chief Magistrate’s Court, while treason is strictly handled by the High Court.

A prison warder and prime suspect in the gruesome murder of 4-people by shooting at Kiboga Central Prison on February 23, 2026, has been committed to the High Court for trial together with 3-other co-accused.

Prison warder Moses Anguyo, who has been on remand together with 3 other co-accused, including Peter Anziku (alias), Dickson Okuonzu, Peter Anziku and Amviko Hellen, since April 1, 2026, had earlier been remanded by Kiboga Grade One Magistrate Jonard Tusasirwe.

They appeared before Kiboga Grade One Magistrate Emmanuel Alioni Drajole on June 17, 2026 via Zoom.

The cases have been under investigation since February 23, 2026, when the gruesome murder of four people occurred.

Kiboga Senior State Attorney Mr Stephen Ariong told court that investigations were complete, noting that they were ready for trial.

Particulars of offence indicate that Prison Warder No.13544, Moses Anguyo, while at Kiboga Hospital Road on February 23, 2026, with malice aforethought, unlawfully caused the death of Prison Officer1 Bright Akishuri, contrary to Section 171 and 172 of the Penal Code.

He is also accused of unlawfully causing the death of Sarah Ayebare, Alson Niwagaba and ASP Hope Catherine on 23 February 2026, contrary to Section 171 of the Penal Code.

Anguyo also faces 2 charges of aggravated robbery and another charge of threatening violence.

It is alleged that on February 23, 2026, the suspect, while at the Saza Shops in Kiboga Town Council, Kiboga District, robbed Grace Kutusiime of one black jean trouser and at or immediately before or after the said robbery used a deadly weapon, to wit (SMG) rifle No. UG POL 565824781-32635 on the said Grace Asiimwe.

It is alleged that Anguyo, also with intent to intimidate or annoy SP Ivan Niwagaba, threatened to shoot or kill him while at Kiboga Government Prison on February 23, 2026, contrary to section 77(a) of the Penal Code cap 128.

The charges against Moses Anguyo’s co-accused are that Peter Anziku, Peter Anziku (alias) Dickson Okonzi and Hellen Amviko, between the 23rd day of February 2026 and March 27, 2026, while at different locations within Uganda, being relatives of Prison warder No. 13544 Moses Anguyo accused of murder, jointly coordinated and assisted him (Anguyo) to escape from being charged of the offence of murder to the prejudice of ASP Catherine Hope, Bright Akishuri, Sarah Ayebare and Salson Niwagaba.

While a section of the stakeholders had earlier pushed for a public trial, the Judiciary will possibly make a formal communication about the type of trial after the High Court fixes hearing dates.

Background

In the early morning hours of February 23, 2026, Prison warder Moses Anguyo shot dead two of his supervisors and two civilians at the Kiboga government prison before escaping and abandoning the killer gun.

Eyewitnesses say while ASP Hope Catherine died on the spot after the shooting incident at the prison facility, Principal Warder Bright Akishuri and Sarah Ayebare died a few minutes after evacuation at Kiboga Hospital.

A one-year-old child identified as Salmon Niwagaba sustained serious bullet wounds and later succumbed to injuries at Kiboga Hospital, hours later.

After his escape, Moses Anguyo was later arrested at Aru Town in the Democratic Republic of Congo before being extradited home to Uganda to face trial.

He was arrested on March 27, 2026, under a coordinated joint operation involving security agencies from Uganda and the DRC.

The violent abduction of prominent Opposition lawyer and former Kampala Capital City Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago marks a dangerous, highly volatile low point in Uganda’s political history. Operating in broad day light, armed military operatives scaled the walls of Lukwago’s Wakaliga residence, dragging him away in a notorious ‘drone’ vehicle.

Hours later, the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, took to social media to openly gloat. He shared images of a blindfolded Lukwago and boasted about holding him “in the basement” to inflict “hurt and pain.”

True leadership is born of moral authority, respect for due process, and a legitimate mandate from the people. Reliance on lawless detentions, Internet taunts, and the physical torture of civilians exposes a profound emptiness. As the country watches this terrifying escalation, the deafening silence from leaders across our societal spectrum, religious, cultural, and political, is deeply concerning. To those who choose to look the other way out of comfort or fear, let this serve as an urgent warning, your silence will not protect you.

Authoritarian systems are insatiable, they eventually consume the very people who enabled them through compliance. The atrocities, lawless abductions, and systematic civilian disappearances that you remain muted about today will inevitably knock on your doors tomorrow. When the wheel of political fortune turns, your titles, accumulated wealth, and proximity to power will not shield your own family members from the cold walls of a basement torture chamber.

The future of Uganda cannot be left as a casualty of fear. We have arrived at a defining point where being a quiet bystander is no longer a neutral stance, it is an act of complicity. When the Judiciary is treated with open contempt and civilian structures are overridden by arbitrary military decrees, the republic itself is under siege.

The crisis facing Uganda today is not merely a political dispute; it is a fundamental test of our collective humanity and national conscience. When a State weaponises its military machinery to drag citizens into dark basements, it does not just crush the individual, it crushes the moral fabric of the entire republic too. Time and again, records show that tyranny relies entirely on the exhaustion of the good and the isolation of the brave.

By choosing to stay silent or indifferent, we inadvertently hand over the keys of our collective future. Let us carry ourselves with the absolute conviction that no matter how deep or dark the cells may be, there isn’t enough space in the so-called basement for all Ugandans and above all, do not be a bystander.

For about three years now, Joseph Cwinyaai has been in pursuit of the horizons in amateur golf in the country.

If anything, he could have felt different at the beginning of the week when secured an all-expenses-paid trip to Kenyan capital Nairobi after winning the first leg of the NCBA Golf Series at Uganda Golf Club (UGC).

The national team star qualified for the grand finale to be played at the Karen Country Club in November after returning an unmatched score of 70 gross to beat a field of 220 competitors at UGC in Kitante.

The tournament brought together 220 golfers, including some of Uganda leading amateur golfers, who competed for top honours and an opportunity to represent Uganda at the prestigious NCBA Golf Series Grand Finale to be held at the renowned Karen Country Club in Nairobi, Kenya, later this year.

Joseph Cwinyaai carded an overall 2-under 70 to win the first Uganda leg of the 2026 NCBA Golf Series, held at the Uganda Golf Club (UGC), Kitante.

The national team player consequently became the first of two winners from Uganda to enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to Nairobi to compete in the grand finale, to be played at the Muthaiga Golf Club in November.

‘The round was easy and good though the conditions are tough since it’s a dry season,’ Cwinyaai described his performance.

The handicap -2.3 player delivered consistency to expectedly conquer the stage at the par-72 course. ‘I will say yes since it was a gross event however much it was a one day event,’ Cwinyaai affirmed his expectations to win.

He struck four birdies at the par-5 Holes No.1, No.5, No.8 and No.15 and it could have been splendid had it not been the bogeys at the par-4 Hole No.14 and the par-3 Hole No.17.

Cwinyaai beat UGC-bred John Musiimenta by a stroke while Gilbert Asiimwe and Aggrey Mutaka both shot 75 gross but the former took third place on count-back.

The UGC leg of the NCBA Series is a part of the regional circuit spanning 25 golf courses across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.

‘The NCBA Golf Series was born out of a desire to do more for the sport of golf,’ NCBA Bank Uganda Chief Executive Officer Mark Muyobo remarked.

‘At NCBA, we bank on belief and empower ambitions. Our commitment to the NCBA Golf Series reflects our belief in the power of sport to transform lives, unlock potential and inspire excellence. Through this platform, we are investing not only in the future of golf but also in the future of East Africa’s sporting talent,’ added Muyobo.

Entebbe Club will host the second leg of the NCBA Series on October 3, with the overall winner joining Cwinyaai to Nairobi.

NCBA GOLF SERIES

UGC LEG RESULTS

Overall Winner: Joseph Cwinyai 70 Gross

Overall Winner (L): Marther Babirye 77 Gross

Runner-Up (M): John Musiimenta 71 Gross

Runner-Up (L): Judith Komugisha 80 Gross

3rd Place: Gilbert Asiimwe 75 Gross

4th Place: Aggrey Mutaka 75 Gross

Junior Winner: Sean Kusaasira Nsereko 80 Gross

Guest Winner: Raymond Ekwamu 66 Nett

GROUP WINNERS

DIVISION 2 HC 13-24

Winner (M): Ashwin Patel 62 Nett

Winner (L): Zhang Fangyi 68 Nett

DIVISION 3 HC 25-45

Winner (M): Peter Oola 70 Nett

The recent arrest and reported abduction-style detention of former Lord Mayor of Kampala Erias Lukwago has stirred painful memories for many Ugandans. For some, it is not merely a political event involving a prominent Opposition figure. It is a reminder of a dark chapter in our nation’s history-a history marked by disappearances, fear, and the silencing of dissenting voices.

Erias Lukwago has, for many years, been one of Uganda’s most visible defenders of constitutionalism, the rule of law, and civil liberties. Whether one agrees with his politics or not, his place in Uganda’s public life is undeniable. The circumstances surrounding his abduction have reignited concerns among citizens who remember similar scenes from earlier decades when individuals were taken away by security operatives, often never to be seen again.

The name that immediately comes to mind is that of Uganda’s first African Chief Justice and former prime minister Benedicto Kiwanuka. In 1972, during the brutal reign of Idi Amin, Kiwanuka was abducted from his chambers at the High Court in Kampala. He was taken away by armed men and never returned. To this day, his remains have never been officially recovered, and he has no known burial site. His disappearance remains one of the most haunting symbols of State repression in Uganda’s history.

For those of us who were born during Idi Amin’s rule, these memories are not distant historical events. They are part of our childhood. We grew up hearing stories whispered in homes, stories of fathers, brothers, uncles, and neighbours who left one morning and never came back. We lived through the turbulent years that followed, including the wars and political instability of the late 1970s and early 1980s. We became men and women under President Museveni’s government, believing that those dark days belonged to the past. Yet recent events have reopened old wounds.

I remember one man. His name was Ssebude, a veterinary officer and a friend of my uncle. He lived in Sekiwunga Village near Kitende, off Entebbe Road. One morning, as he prepared to leave for work, military men reportedly arrived and took him away. Like many others during that era, he was never seen again. What remains vivid in my memory is his daughter. She would often tell us, with the innocence and sadness of a child, that soldiers had taken her father away. Years later, I came across an account written by a survivor of the Makindye military detention centre. In that account, the author described a prisoner named Ssebude who was taken from fellow inmates one night after being informed that he was going to be killed. According to the account, he said his final goodbyes before being led away. He never returned. These are the memories that many older Ugandans carry with them.

Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of some modern arrests is not only the way people are taken into custody, but the public display that sometimes follows. In the age of social media, images of detained individuals can quickly circulate online, accompanied by ridicule and political mockery. This adds humiliation to an already painful experience and deepens divisions within society.

Uganda has travelled a long road since the days of Amin and the conflicts that followed. Significant achievements have been made in restoring stability and rebuilding institutions. Yet history teaches us that peace is sustained not only by security but by tolerance, accountability, and respect for differing political views. After four decades in power, the current leadership faces an important responsibility. Political opposition should not be viewed as an enemy of the State. It is a legitimate part of democratic life. The answer to disagreement cannot be intimidation, fear, or actions that remind citizens of periods they hoped never to relive.

For those of us who were children during Uganda’s darkest years, recent events have brought back sleepless nights and unsettling memories. We remember the fear that gripped our communities. We remember the uncertainty of not knowing who would disappear next. Most importantly, we remember the cost that political intolerance imposed on ordinary families. Uganda deserves better. Our children deserve better. The lessons of our history should guide us away from fear and toward greater respect for human rights, due process, and political pluralism. If we fail to learn from that history, we risk allowing old ghosts to return and haunt another generation.

Former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago was yesterday charged with misprision of treason, becoming the latest suspect in a case that has already seen Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye and his aide, Mr Obeid Lutale, remanded on treason-related charges.

Mr Lukwago was arraigned before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court after spending two days in incommunicado detention following his arrest by armed men from his home in Wakaliga, Rubaga Division, Kampala as he attempted to go and serve court papers to the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, in connection with the Besigye treason case.

A visibly frail Lukwago, who had earlier been handed over to the police and taken to Kiira Police Station, was brought to court shortly after lunch time and charged with one count of misprision of treason. Prosecution alleges that between 2021 and November 2024, in various places including Kampala and Nairobi, Kenya, Mr Lukwago and others still at large, knowing that Joel Wakayima, Frank Kihehere Atukunda, Mr Lutale and Dr Besigye intended to commit treason, failed to report the information to the relevant authorities, including the minister, the Internal Security Organisation (ISO), a magistrate or an officer in charge of a police station.

When the charge was read to him, Mr Lukwago dismissed the allegations. “It is not true. Actually, the people mentioned are my clients. How can I commit the crime when I am their lawyer?” he told court. Misprision of treason is the offence of knowingly concealing information about a planned or committed act of treason and failing to report it to the authorities. Unlike treason itself, which involves direct participation in acts against the State, misprision which is a lesser charge, concerns the failure to disclose knowledge of such acts.

Mr Lukwago has been one of the lead defence lawyers representing Dr Besigye and Mr Lutale, who are facing charges of treason and misprision of treason following their arrest in Nairobi, Kenya in November 2024 and subsequent transfer to Uganda. State Attorney Carol Apia informed court that investigations into the case were still ongoing. Immediately after the charge was read, Mr Lukwago’s lead counsel, Medard Sseggona, applied for his client’s release on bail, citing his deteriorating health and the need for specialised medical care.

“We have instructions to apply for bail,” Mr Sseggona submitted. He told court that Mr Lukwago has a known place of residence in Wakaliga, a family and nearly three decades of legal practice, making him unlikely to abscond. “He is an advocate of this court and has practised law for close to 30 years. He understands the implications of bail and undertakes to appear whenever required by court,” Mr Sseggona said. The lawyer further argued that Mr Lukwago suffers from chronic gastritis, hypertension and respiratory complications that require constant medical supervision, specialised medication and a strict feeding schedule.

He also informed court that his client underwent cervical spinal surgery at Fortis Hospital in Gurugram, India, where a metal implant was inserted, and claimed that the recent arrest and detention had aggravated his condition. “Following the violent arrest and detention, the implant has been affected, leaving him in severe pain and requiring urgent medical attention,” Mr Sseggona submitted. To support the bail application, the defence presented three sureties: Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze, Gulu City Woman MP Betty Aol Ochan and former Buikwe South MP Dr Lulume Bayigga.

However, the prosecution opposed the immediate hearing of the application, arguing that it needed time to verify the medical records and scrutinise the credentials of the proposed sureties. Ms Apia told court that some of the sureties had not attached local council introduction letters and that the medical documents supplied by the defence required verification. “We pray for time to verify the documents of the accused and thereafter respond appropriately to the bail application,” she submitted.

The prosecution initially sought a week’s adjournment, a request that sparked murmurs of disapproval from Mr Lukwago’s supporters who had packed the courtroom. In response, Mr Sseggona urged court to consider his client’s health and, in the event that he was remanded, allow him access to specialised medical care, an orthopaedic mattress, prescribed meals and his personal doctors.

“What the State is doing is inviting the court to conduct an experiment on the accused person,” Mr Sseggona argued.

He proposed that Mr Lukwago be kept under guard at a government medical facility as authorities verify his medical records.

“If the intention is not death, then he can be taken to a government health facility under guard with limited visitation. We do not have a problem with that arrangement,” he submitted. Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera agreed to grant the prosecution time to verify the documents, but declined to give the full week requested. She remanded Mr Lukwago to Luzira Prison and ordered that he be returned to court on Monday for further directions on his bail application.

What is misprision of treason?

Misprision of treason is a criminal offence that arises when a person knows that another individual has committed, is committing, or intends to commit treason but deliberately fails to report that information to the authorities.

Unlike treason, which involves direct participation in acts aimed at overthrowing or waging war against the government, misprision of treason does not require active involvement in the alleged plot.

Instead, the offence focuses on concealment or silence.

Under Ugandan law, a person can be charged with misprision of treason if they are aware of plans to commit treason and fail to disclose that information to a minister, a magistrate, the administrative officer, or a police officer in charge of a station.

The prosecution is mandated to prove that the accused person had actual knowledge that treason was being planned or had been committed, and also that the accused deliberately failed to report that information to the relevant authorities.

The offence is distinct from being an accomplice or co-conspirator. A person charged with misprision of treason is not accused of participating in the alleged treasonous activities but of withholding information about them.

The charge is relatively rare in Uganda and has only occasionally been invoked in politically sensitive prosecutions involving allegations of threats to national security.

Of life imprisonment

Section 25 of the Penal Code Act that addresses the concealment of treason, provides that: “Any person who knowing that any person intends to commit treason does not give information thereof with all reasonable dispatch to the Minister, an administrative officer, a magistrate or an officer in charge of a police station, or use all reasonable endeavours to prevent the commission of the offence of treason commits the offence of misprision of treason and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life.”

Misprision of treason attracts up to imprisonment for life, while treason attracts up to death by hanging.

Misprision of treason can be handled by a Chief Magistrate’s Court, while treason is strictly handled by the High Court

The outgoing Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, was on Wednesday charged with misprision of treason before being sent on remand at Luzira Prison.

ANTHONY WESAKA dissects for you what this charge that sounded new to the ears of many means, and the likely punishment on conviction.

Misprision of treason is a criminal offence that arises when a person knows that another individual has committed, is committing, or intends to commit treason but deliberately fails to report that information to the authorities.

Unlike treason, which involves direct participation in acts aimed at overthrowing or waging war against the government, misprision of treason does not require active involvement in the alleged plot.

Instead, the offence focuses on concealment or silence.

Under Ugandan law, a person can be charged with misprision of treason if they are aware of plans to commit treason and fail to disclose that information to a minister, a magistrate, the administrative officer, or a police officer in charge of a station.

The prosecution is mandated to prove that the accused person had actual knowledge that treason was being planned or had been committed, and also that the accused deliberately failed to report that information to the relevant authorities.

The offence is distinct from being an accomplice or co-conspirator. A person charged with misprision of treason is not accused of participating in the alleged treasonous activities but of withholding information about them.

The charge is relatively rare in Uganda and has only occasionally been invoked in politically sensitive prosecutions involving allegations of threats to national security.

Of life imprisonment

Section 25 of the Penal Code Act that addresses the concealment of treason, provides that: “Any person who knowing that any person intends to commit treason does not give information thereof with all reasonable dispatch to the Minister, an administrative officer, a magistrate or an officer in charge of a police station, or use all reasonable endeavours to prevent the commission of the offence of treason commits the offence of misprision of treason and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life.”

Misprision of treason attracts up to imprisonment for life, while treason attracts up to death by hanging.

Misprision of treason can be handled by a Chief Magistrate’s Court, while treason is strictly handled by the High Court.

Security operatives yesterday handed over former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago to Kira Division Police Station, a day after he was reportedly picked up from his home by security personnel and taken to an unknown location.

Mr Lukwago, who is also the leader of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) and lead lawyer in the treason case involving former presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye, was later detained on charges of misprision of treason, which he denies. A detective at Kira Police Station told this publication that Mr Lukwago was delivered to the station shortly before dawn under heavy security.

‘A UPDF vehicle dropped off Lukwago at the station at about 5:40am. He was handed over to the officer on standby before senior police commanders were called in to oversee the recording of his statement,’ the detective said. According to the source, Mr Lukwago was kept in a separate office and allowed access to his phone, through which he contacted his lawyers.

Police speak

Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke confirmed the detention. I can confirm that Lukwago was dropped at Kira Police Station this morning, where he is being held on charges of misprision of treason,’ Mr Rusoke said. he offence of misprision of treason relates to failure to report knowledge of treasonous activities to the relevant authorities. Mr Lukwago’s detention follows his arrest on Monday by armed security personnel who raided his home in Wakaliga, a Kampala suburb, and took him to an undisclosed location.

His whereabouts remained unknown for several hours until the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, posted on his official X account indicating that Mr Lukwago was in military custody.

Security sources yesterday claimed that investigators are examining allegations linking Mr Lukwago to meetings in which plans to overthrow the government were allegedly discussed. he sources further alleged that some of the meetings took place in Kampala, Nairobi and Athens and involved discussions on mobilisation and fundraising activities. However, no formal evidence had been presented in court by press time.

Mr Lukwago’s family members, political allies and friends were initially denied access to him at Kira Police Station. Ms Doreen Nyanjura, a former Kampala Capital City Authority deputy lord mayor, said police officers informed her that only Mr Lukwago’s legal counsel would be allowed to see him. I told them I wanted to see my boss, but they informed me that only his lawyer was allowed access while he recorded his statement,’ Ms Nyanjura said.

His lawyer, Mr Medard Lubega Sseggona, was later granted access to him. Several Opposition figures criticised the manner of Mr Lukwago’s arrest, saying it is an abduction rather than a lawful arrest because authorities did not immediately disclose his whereabouts.

Professor James Tumine, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Kabale University, has warned that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) against Real Intelligence (RI) in teacher training undermines the brain’s ability to be innovative and creative, as required when administering lessons to learners.

He emphasised that AI should only be used as a tool to guide technological advancements, not to replace Real Intelligence, which fosters critical thinking, especially in the teaching profession.

‘Concentrate on Real Intelligence (RI) instead of Artificial Intelligence (AI) because it gives students a chance to use their brains to be innovative and creative,’ Prof Tumwine said.

Artificial intelligence (AI), which is part of computer science, is a system capable of performing activities that require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, understanding language, and making decisions.

Meanwhile, real intelligence involves the use of the mental capacity to learn, adapt, and solve complex problems.

Prof Tumwine raised the concern on Thursday while delivering a keynote address to the council of the Uganda National Institute for Teacher Education (UNITE) from the Kabale Campus.

UNITE is the body designated to take over all teacher training in Uganda and offer bachelor’s degrees, a move which was aimed at phasing out Grade III and diploma-level qualifications.

However, Professor Betty Akullu Ezati, the Vice Chancellor UNITE headquarters in Kampala, noted that their strategic direction is the vocationalisation of teacher education, which focuses on practice and hands-on experiences as an integral part of teaching and learning.

She outlined several challenges, including the poor state of equipment and facilities such as laboratory and library resources in all their campuses, which need upgrading to suit the standard of a degree-awarding institution.

The council was in the area to assess the state of infrastructure at the Kabale campus.

UNITE Vice Chairperson Ms Teopista Birungi Mayanja told stakeholders that they will take charge of regulating the education system by emphasising professionalism.