Ugandan opposition leader and former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has been committed to the High Court to stand trial on a charge of misprision of treason, a case linked to an alleged plot to overthrow the government.
Lukwago appeared before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court on Thursday (July 16, 2026) under heavy security after missing an earlier hearing because of ill health.
He appeared visibly weak during the proceedings as his lawyers renewed calls for him to receive specialised medical treatment, arguing that his health has continued to deteriorate while in custody.
Prosecutors accuse Lukwago of knowingly failing to report information about an alleged plan to remove the Ugandan government by force.
They allege that, as president of the opposition People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party, he was aware of discussions and activities involving senior party members but did not inform authorities, as required under Ugandan law.
The prosecution says it will rely on electronic communications, travel records, forensic evidence and recordings allegedly obtained from meetings connected to the case.
Court documents also allege that meetings held in Nairobi, Kenya, in late 2024 involved discussions about acquiring weapons and planning to destabilise Uganda, claims that have not been tested in court.
Lukwago’s legal team told the court that he suffers from complications related to previous spinal surgery, hypertension and other medical conditions, and argued that he requires specialised treatment abroad.
His family has also appealed to authorities to allow him to seek medical care outside the country.
Lukwago denies the charge and says the prosecution is politically motivated.
The case is part of a wider prosecution involving veteran Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye and his associate Obeid Lutale, who also face treason-related charges arising from the same alleged conspiracy.
Besigye and Lutale were detained in November 2024 after being seized in Nairobi and returned to Uganda.
Their case was initially brought before a military court but was transferred to the civilian justice system following a landmark ruling by Uganda’s Supreme Court that barred the trial of civilians in military courts.
Under Ugandan law, misprision of treason is the offence of knowingly concealing information about an intended act of treason and failing to report it to the authorities.
Lukwago’s case will now proceed before the High Court, where prosecutors will be required to present evidence in support of the allegations.
