Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court has postponed its ruling on the bail application filed by former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who is on remand over a misprision of treason charge.
Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera said the ruling will be delivered electronically through the Electronic Court Case Management Information System within 24 hours from Monday, June 22, 2026.
Basemera had earlier indicated that she would deliver the decision at 2:00pm after hearing submissions from both the defence and prosecution.
However, lawyers and parties in the case were later called to the magistrate’s chambers. They were informed that the ruling was not ready.
Defence Says Court Cited Security Concerns
Speaking to Lukwago’s supporters and journalists outside court, defence lawyer Medard Lubega Sseggona said the magistrate had cited the sensitivity of the matter and security concerns.
“They have informed us that the chief magistrate has advised that her ruling is not ready. Owing to the sensitivity of the case and the environment as you see it, she was informed that it is not advisable to return to court to convey that the ruling is not ready. She did not want to gather the crowds that we have, especially when the ruling is not ready,” Sseggona said.
Sseggona said the main case will return to court on June 30, 2026, regardless of the outcome of the bail application.
“This case, the main case, will be mentioned again on the 30th of June. So even when we do not come back here tomorrow, we will be back on the 30th of June. That is the information I have a duty to convey. Not pleasant news to us either. We have only remained brave because we are duty-bound to be brave,” he added.
Lukwago’s Health Cited in Bail Plea
The adjournment came after the defence repeated concerns about Lukwago’s health while on remand at Luzira Prison.
Earlier in court, Sseggona said medical tests had shown a reduction in Lukwago’s white blood cell count. He argued that the condition had weakened his immunity and exposed him to infections.
The lawyer also alleged that prison authorities had recently placed a tuberculosis patient in Lukwago’s room.
“There is a threat of TB infection. The ward where Lukwago is being held is located just close to a TB ward treatment section,” Sseggona said.
He further told court that Lukwago’s spinal condition had worsened. According to the defence, the condition involves a dislocated disc and requires specialised treatment that is not available in prison.
Sseggona said a referral hospital had recommended an MRI-guided assessment and treatment.
Outside court, he said Lukwago’s health remained a serious concern.
“Meanwhile, for Honourable Lukwago, the health situation is not any better. It gets worse day by day. This I must mention because I have mentioned before,” he said.
Sseggona referred to previous cases where suspects complained of poor health while in detention and later died.
“There was a German national who was denied bail in Kalangala, and he died. We had Hon Muhammad Ssegirinya, who kept telling courts that he was in bad health, and they refused until it was too late. So we have put all this material before the court, and we want to trust that the court will understand,” he said.
The lawyer also maintained that Lukwago should not have been charged.
“We have said before that the people who should have been here are not here, and those that are here are not supposed to be here,” Sseggona said.
He added that the defence remained hopeful.
“Justice is normally slow, but justice is justice that waits,” he said.
DPP Opposes Bail
Lukwago was arrested on June 15, 2026, and later charged with misprision of treason under Section 25 of the Penal Code Act.
Prosecutors allege that between 2021 and November 2024, in Uganda and Kenya, Lukwago and others still at large knew of an alleged plot by Dr Kizza Besigye, Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya and others to overthrow the government.
The prosecution claims they failed to report the alleged plot to authorities or take reasonable steps to prevent the alleged offence.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has opposed Lukwago’s release on bail.
The state argues that the offence carries a possible life sentence. It also claims Lukwago could interfere with investigations or fail to return for trial if released.
Asked about the state’s objection, Sseggona said prosecutors had mainly relied on claims that Lukwago might interfere with investigations or abscond.
“They have not attacked the substantiality of the sureties apart from generally stating that Honourable Lukwago will interfere with the investigations and that he may not also turn up for trial. We responded to them,” he said.
However, he declined to discuss details of the defence submissions.
“The law does not allow me to argue the bail application in the media or in public, especially when I have placed my submissions before the court,” Sseggona said.
Sseggona Raises Concern Over Martha Karua Reports
Sseggona also commented on reports that Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua had allegedly been detained and deported after arriving in Uganda.
“At least I fear the law. I know that Honourable Martha Karua has not been denied entry but detained at the airport and deported. It is not within the spirit of the East African Community,” he said.
“As a professional, I am deeply concerned that a person is entitled to have a lawyer of his or her choice anywhere. That’s why there is room for accreditation”, added Sseggona.
He said the Uganda Law Society and the East African Law Society had taken up the matter.
“It is a matter that has been taken on by the Uganda Law Society and the East African Law Society. As a member of the two bodies, I will contribute my views to those bodies. I am also sure that the government will realize its mistakes and do better.”
Sseggona said he did not consider Karua a security threat.
“I would actually have allowed her to come and allowed due process. I do not think Martha is a security risk to this country. I also know that the spirit of the East African federation should be reigning at this point in terms of movement of labour in accordance with the law.”
June 30 Date Raises Representation Questions
Sseggona was also asked whether the June 30 mention date could affect Lukwago’s ability to continue representing Dr Besigye in the treason case.
He said Lukwago’s health remained the main concern.
“Whether it is set as the return date or not, as long as he is in prison, he will not represent his client. If he comes here and is on bail, he will choose where to go first. My instructions are to represent him here, and I will be here.”
He added that Lukwago may need hospital treatment before any other legal work.
“I don’t know where he will be. He might be in the hospital before you even look at his client. Look at his life. We may think he would be here representing the client when he would be in the hospital.”
