By Kabuye Ronald
Former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has been charged with misprision of treason alongside opposition stalwart Dr. Kizza Besigye, Frank Kihehere, Joel Wakayima, Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulega, and several others following two days in detention.
Lukwago was on Wednesday presented before the Makindye Magistrates Court after being held by security agencies since his arrest on Monday. His legal team, led by lawyer and legislator Medard Ssegona, immediately applied for bail, citing concerns about his health condition.
The charges come after a dramatic security operation on Monday when personnel from the Uganda Police Force and the Special Forces Command (SFC) reportedly raided Lukwago’s residence in Wakaliga, a suburb of Kampala.
Eyewitnesses said heavily armed security personnel sealed off the area surrounding the former Lord Mayor’s home before moving in and taking him into custody. Following the arrest, Lukwago was held at an undisclosed location, sparking concern among family members, supporters, and human rights activists.
Earlier on Wednesday, Lukwago was transferred to Kira Division Police Station, where he was formally charged and detained for approximately five hours before being driven under tight security to Makindye Magistrates Court.
Sources close to the family said access to Lukwago during the recording of his statement was highly restricted. Police reportedly allowed only his lawyer, Medard Ssegona, and his wife, Nnaalongo Zawedde Lukwago, to meet him during the process.
The court proceedings attracted significant public interest as supporters gathered outside the court premises awaiting updates on the charges and the outcome of the bail application.
By press time, the court was considering the defence team’s bail request, with lawyers arguing that Lukwago’s health status warrants his temporary release as the case progresses.
The arrests and subsequent charges are expected to further intensify political debate in the country, with opposition groups closely monitoring developments surrounding the case.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.
