Former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has been committed to the High Court for trial on a charge of misprision of treason arising from an alleged plot to overthrow the Government by force.
Makindye Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera committed Lukwago for trial on Thursday, July 16, 2026, after the prosecution informed the court that investigations had been completed and presented an indictment and summary of evidence.
Lukwago, a lawyer and president of the opposition People’s Front for Freedom, remains on remand at Luzira Prison. He has denied wrongdoing and maintains that the case against him is politically motivated.
The committal means that proceedings before the Chief Magistrate’s Court have ended and that the case will now be handled by the High Court, which has jurisdiction to try the offence.
Basemera told Lukwago that he would appear before the High Court at its next convenient criminal session and that he was entitled to apply for bail before that court. He did not enter a plea during the committal proceedings.
Prosecution outlines charge
Lukwago is charged with misprision of treason contrary to Section 25 of the Penal Code Act.
Under the provision, a person who knows that another individual intends to commit treason is required to report the information to the relevant authorities with reasonable speed or make reasonable efforts to prevent the offence.
A conviction for misprision of treason carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
According to the indictment, Lukwago allegedly knew that retired Col. Dr Kizza Besigye, Hajji Obeid Lutale, Joel Wakhaima and Frank Kihehere Atukunda intended to commit treason but failed to report the alleged plan or take reasonable steps to stop it.
The State alleges that the offence occurred between 2021 and November 2024 in Kampala, Nairobi and other locations.
The indictment was reportedly signed on July 14, 2026, by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Thomas Jatiko.
The allegations have not been tested before the High Court, and Lukwago remains presumed innocent unless the prosecution proves its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Alleged approach for weapons and training
The prosecution’s case centres partly on Andrew Wilson, who is described in the indictment as the proprietor of a private security company involved in firearms, investigations and tactical training.
The State alleges that in 2021, Wakhaima, a Ugandan based in Switzerland, contacted Wilson seeking firearms, military equipment and training for Ugandans inside and outside the country.
According to the prosecution, the individuals allegedly intended to use the requested assistance in a plan to overthrow the Government through armed action.
Wilson reportedly considered the request criminal and informed Ugandan security authorities.
Prosecutors claim intelligence officers then instructed him to continue communicating with the individuals involved while collecting information about the alleged activities.
The State says Wilson operated as a covert source, recorded meetings and conversations and regularly briefed intelligence officers.
Meetings in Europe
The indictment alleges that Wilson was later introduced to former Forum for Democratic Change deputy president Salaam Musumba.
Prosecutors claim Wilson participated in an online meeting with Musumba during which the participants discussed training people in covert communication and intelligence gathering.
The State further alleges that a meeting was held in Brussels, Belgium, involving Lukwago and several Ugandan opposition figures and political activists.
According to the prosecution, those present included former Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, politician Michael Mabikke Lubega Mukaku and political commentator Charles Rwomushana.
The State alleges that Wilson agreed during the meeting to serve as a security and military adviser to the group.
Prosecutors claim Lukwago was aware of the nature of the discussions but did not report them to the Ugandan authorities.
The indictment also refers to an alleged meeting in Geneva involving Wilson, Besigye, Wakhaima and Atukunda.
The State claims the participants discussed military assistance, covert intelligence work, paramilitary training, weapons and other materials that would allegedly support efforts to remove the Government by force.
Prosecutors further allege that Wilson was given information about military installations and security facilities that could be targeted during the alleged operation.
These claims remain allegations contained in the prosecution’s committal papers and have not yet been proved at trial.
Nairobi meeting
The prosecution also relies on an alleged meeting held at Riverside Apartments in Nairobi on November 16, 2024.
According to the indictment, Besigye, Lutale and Wilson attended the meeting with a person introduced as a representative of a Kurdish company.
The State claims discussions at the meeting included military equipment, drones, training and other assistance connected to the alleged plan.
Prosecutors allege that Lukwago knew that members of the People’s Front for Freedom had travelled to Nairobi for the meeting but did not inform the authorities.
Besigye and Lutale were arrested in Nairobi in November 2024 and subsequently returned to Uganda.
They were initially prosecuted before the General Court Martial, but their case was later transferred to the civilian court system following a Supreme Court decision restricting the trial of civilians before military courts.
The Director of Public Prosecutions says the State intends to rely on electronic and documentary evidence during the High Court trial.
The evidence reportedly includes covert audio and video recordings, mobile telephones, forensic examination reports, WhatsApp communications, immigration records and travel histories.
Prosecutors claim Wilson secretly recorded some of the meetings before handing the recordings and electronic devices to intelligence officers for examination.
The State also intends to use immigration records to establish whether the accused and other people named in the case travelled to the countries where the alleged meetings occurred.
Medical concerns raised
Before Lukwago was committed, his lawyers raised concerns about his health and sought permission for him to travel to India for specialised treatment while under prison escort.
The defence said Lukwago had previously undergone spinal surgery and was experiencing hypertension, respiratory difficulties, acid reflux and balance-related complications.
His lawyers proposed that his wife accompany him and that the family meet the cost of the treatment.
The prosecution opposed the application, arguing that once the indictment had been filed, the Magistrate’s Court no longer had jurisdiction to determine the request.
Basemera agreed that the medical and bail applications would have to be presented before the High Court.
The High Court Criminal Division subsequently fixed July 24, 2026, to hear Lukwago’s bail application. A production warrant directed Luzira Prison authorities to present him before Justice David Matovu for the hearing.
Lukwago will remain on remand pending further orders from the High Court and the scheduling of his trial.