Lukwago denied bail over medical evidence

What the report says

Nile Post reported that the High Court has declined to grant bail to former Kampala Lord Mayor and People’s Front for Freedom leader Erias Lukwago, who is on remand awaiting trial on a charge of misprision of treason. The ruling was delivered on Thursday, July 30, by Justice David Matovu, who found that Lukwago had met several bail requirements but had not proved that his medical needs could not be handled within the prison health system.

According to the report, Lukwago’s defence presented medical documents, including specialist recommendations for treatment abroad. However, the judge said the application lacked certification from the Luzira Prison medical officer stating that prison health services were unable to manage his condition. On that basis, the court declined to release him despite acknowledging that he had presented substantial sureties.

Nile Post said the court rejected several prosecution objections. Justice Matovu reportedly described as speculative the claim that Lukwago was likely to interfere with witnesses, noting that investigations appeared complete and that the prosecution had already called its first witness in a related treason trial involving Dr Kizza Besigye and co-accused persons. The judge also dismissed the argument that Lukwago was a flight risk because of the seriousness of the charge, citing his public service record and character.

The court further noted a procedural issue: the bail application had been filed in relation to the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court matter, which no longer exists after Lukwago’s committal to the High Court. Lukwago was charged on June 17 with allegedly failing to report a plot to overthrow the government between 2021 and November 2024. He remains on remand pending allocation of the High Court case to a trial judge.