High Court Sets July 24 for Erias Lukwago’s Bail Application Hearing

KAMPALA — The High Court has directed Luzira Upper Prison to produce jailed former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago on July 24, 2026, for the hearing of his bail application.

According to a production warrant issued on July 16, 2026, the officer in charge of Luzira Upper Prison has been ordered to present Lukwago before Justice David Matovu at 10:00 a.m.

The development comes days after Lukwago was committed to the High Court for trial on a charge of misprision of treason.

Lukwago Seeks Bail on Health Grounds

In his Notice of Motion filed through Lukwago & Co. Advocates, the former Lord Mayor invokes constitutional provisions guaranteeing the right to liberty and the right to apply for bail.

Lukwago argues that he meets the legal requirements for release and is prepared to comply with any conditions imposed by the court.

He identifies himself as an advocate of the Courts of Judicature, former Lord Mayor of Kampala Capital City, former Kampala Central MP, former Shadow Attorney General and Executive Chairperson of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF).

He also argues that he remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Lukwago says he has a fixed place of residence in Bulwa Zone, Wakaliga, Rubaga Division, Kampala, which he argues makes him unlikely to abscond from court.

He further says that his nearly three decades of legal practice have given him a clear understanding of the obligations attached to bail.

Former Lord Mayor Cites Multiple Health Conditions

Court documents filed in support of the application indicate that Lukwago suffers from several medical conditions, including hypertension, chronic gastritis, hiatus hernia, tinnitus, serious spinal complications, respiratory ailments and post-operative complications.

He argues that his conditions require specialised medical care, close supervision, strict medication and a prescribed diet.

According to the application, Lukwago’s lawyers contend that prison conditions cannot adequately provide the level of medical care he requires.

The 56-year-old politician also argues that his deteriorating health makes continued detention particularly difficult and could expose him to serious and irreversible harm.

In a supporting affidavit sworn from Luzira Prison, Lukwago states that medical specialists at Mulago National Referral Hospital recommended specialised treatment in India that cannot be adequately provided under prison conditions.

He says he previously underwent cervical spine surgery at Fortis Memorial Hospital in India after being diagnosed with a C6-C7 disc prolapse.

Lukwago also cites gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), tinnitus and other chronic conditions requiring continued specialised treatment.

Lukwago Details Circumstances of Arrest

In his affidavit, Lukwago recounts the circumstances surrounding his arrest on June 15, 2026.

He alleges that armed operatives, including individuals he claims were dressed in Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) uniforms, surrounded his home in Wakaliga and forced their way inside.

He says he was arrested and transported in what he describes as a “drone” vehicle to an undisclosed location.

According to Lukwago, he was held for two days without access to his lawyers, family members or personal doctors before being transferred to Kira Police Station.

He was later produced before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court on June 17, 2026, where he was charged with misprision of treason.

Lukwago further states that his initial application for bail before the Chief Magistrate’s Court was rejected, although the court directed that he be taken to Mulago National Referral Hospital for medical examination.

He also alleges that while in detention between June 15 and June 16, he was subjected to forced physical exercises despite his post-operative condition, which he claims worsened his medical complications.

Four Sureties Proposed for Bail

To support his bail application, Lukwago has proposed four sureties whom he describes as close friends, associates and family members.

They include:

• Betty Aol Ocan, Woman MP for Gulu City, former Leader of the Opposition and PFF deputy president for Northern Uganda.
• Dr Michael Philip Bayiga Lulume, former Buikwe South MP, medical practitioner, Medical Director of Kampala International Medical Centre in Kisasi and PFF deputy president for Buganda Region.
• Betty Bakireke Nambooze, MP for Mukono Municipality and Chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee for Local Government.
• Hajji Abdul Sewankambo, Lukwago’s elder brother and heir to the estate of their late father, Hajji Muhamood Mirundi.

Lukwago argues that he has no intention of abandoning his legal practice or family responsibilities and has every reason to attend court proceedings to clear his name.

He further contends that the prosecution would not suffer prejudice if he is released on bail, while continued incarceration poses a serious risk to his health.

Lukwago Faces Misprision of Treason Charge

Lukwago was committed to the High Court by the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court after the prosecution informed the court that investigations into the case had been completed.

According to the indictment, prosecutors allege that Lukwago knew about a meeting held in Nairobi in November 2024 where discussions allegedly included the acquisition of surface-to-air missiles, drones and other weapons.

The prosecution further alleges that the discussions involved plans to assassinate President Yoweri Museveni and trigger civil disobedience.

Prosecutors claim that Lukwago knew about the alleged plans but deliberately failed to disclose the information to the relevant authorities.

The allegations have not been proved in court. Lukwago remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a competent court.

The High Court is now expected to hear arguments on his bail application on July 24, 2026.