The Chief Magistrate’s Court at Makindye has committed former Kampala City Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, to the High Court to stand trial on charges of misprision of treason.
The committal follows confirmation by the state that investigations into the matter were complete and a decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to have Lukwago tried before the High Court.
According to evidence contained in the committal papers, Lukwago, who is said to be a leader of the People’s Front for Freedom (PPF), allegedly knew that Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale had travelled to Nairobi, Kenya, to attend a secret meeting where plans to assassinate the President of Uganda using a helicopter were discussed, but failed to inform authorities.
The prosecution further alleges that Lukwago was aware of and facilitated the travel of 32 recruits to Nairobi for military training.
It is also claimed that he had knowledge of several meetings held outside Uganda, attended by Dr. Besigye, where plans to overthrow the government using firearms were discussed.
The state contends that Lukwago, Besigye, Lutale and others still at large acted with a common intention to commit offences related to treason.
The DPP informed court that during the High Court trial, the prosecution will rely on voice recordings allegedly captured by state agents who infiltrated the said meetings, as well as immigration documents relating to the accused persons’ foreign travels.
Following the committal, Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera said her court no longer has jurisdiction over the case. Lukwago was accordingly remanded and will remain in custody until he is summoned by the High Court for trial.
Meanwhile, the High Court has already fixed July 29th as the date for the hearing of the treason case against Dr. Besigye and Hajji Lutale.
During the proceedings, Lukwago, through his lawyer Medard Lubega Sseggona, made an urgent plea for specialized medical treatment abroad, citing a deteriorating health condition.
Sseggona asked court to allow Lukwago to be transferred under guard to Fortis Memorial Research Institute Hospital in India for surgery.
He also requested that Lukwago be allowed a caretaker in the form of his wife at his own cost, receive visitors, and access consular services while undergoing treatment. He added that upon recovery, Lukwago would return to Luzira Murchison Bay Prison under medical supervision.
The defence further indicated that Lukwago is willing to deposit his passport with prison authorities to facilitate his travel..
In the alternative, the defence asked court to order the state to procure a special electrically powered pillow from the United Kingdom, which had been dismantled by prison authorities on suspicion that it contained recording devices.
Sseggona argued that the pillow was medically prescribed and that in its absence, Lukwago has been forced to rely on sedatives to sleep.
Addressing court, Lukwago said he was no longer receiving effective treatment in prison despite the efforts of prison doctors.
“I commend the doctors in prison for their commitment, but they are now helpless in my situation,” Lukwago said.
He added that he had already been referred to Mulago National Referral Hospital, describing it as the peak of Uganda’s healthcare system, but maintained that his condition requires more advanced intervention.
“No order for treatment in Luzira prison will help me. Court should not waste its time with any order of treatment at Luzira,” he said.
Lukwago revealed that he suffers from a serious gastrointestinal condition requiring surgery and that he relies on sedatives to sleep after being advised to stop using them.
“I am ready to stand trial, but only if I am alive. Where I am being kept, it is only a matter of time—you may see me standing, but I can easily drop dead,” he told court.
He also raised concerns about poor ventilation at the prison facility and the risk of infection, noting that sputum samples are collected near his bed at Luzira Prison Hospital.
“Every week I test for TB and I am glad the results are negative.
I cannot use a mask because I have lung problems,” Lukwago added, urging court to facilitate his referral for surgery in India.
In response, Chief Magistrate Basemera said the court lacks the jurisdiction to grant such orders at this stage following the committal.
“The DPP has taken over the matter. This court has no powers now. I am alive to his medical needs, but this can only be handled by the High Court through the bail application already filed,” she ruled.
On the issue of the electric pillow, the prosecution maintained that it had been dismantled after prison authorities suspected it contained a recording gadget, which was deemed a security risk.
However, Sseggona dismissed the claims, urging the state to produce any alleged recording devices and arguing that the pillow should instead be replaced.
“Let them bring the recorders other than tarnishing his image before court. Their ignorance is excusable. Now that there were no recording gadgets, the state should procure it,” Sseggona said.
In her closing remarks, Magistrate Basemera advised that all the issues raised, including medical treatment and prison conditions, can be addressed by the High Court during the hearing of Lukwago’s bail application.
