Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court has postponed a ruling on the bail application of former Kampala Lord Mayor and the president of People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) Erias Lukwago.
Lukwago is seeking temporary freedom after being charged with misprision of treason. Chief magistrate Sarah Basemera said the ruling is expected to be delivered electronically through the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) within 24 hours from today.
She had earlier indicated that she would deliver her ruling at 2:00 pm today, Monday, after hearing submissions from both the defence and prosecution. However, lawyers and parties in the case were instead summoned to the magistrate’s chambers, where they were informed that the ruling was not yet ready.
Addressing Lukwago’s supporters and journalists outside court shortly afterwards, defence lawyer Medard Lubega Sseggona said the magistrate had cited the sensitivity of the case and security issues in deciding against reconvening court to announce the postponement.
“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 noted that regardless of the outcome of the bail application, the substantive case will return to court on June 30, 2026.
“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.
The adjournment came after the defence reiterated their concerns about Lukwago’s deteriorating health while on remand at Luzira Prison. Earlier, Sseggona told the court that Lukwago’s immunity had weakened, saying that medical tests showed a reduction in his white blood cell count.
He argued that the condition had left his client vulnerable to infections and other illnesses. The lawyer also alleged that prison authorities had recently placed a tuberculosis (TB) patient in Lukwago’s room, yet he is already sick.
“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 informed the court that Lukwago’s spinal condition, involving a dislocated disc, had worsened and required specialised treatment unavailable within prison facilities.
According to the defence, a referral hospital has recommended an MRI-guided assessment and treatment. Outside the court, Sseggona said Lukwago’s health continued to deteriorate and urged the judiciary to take his health seriously.
“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 cited previous cases where suspects complained about ill health while in detention and ended up dying.
“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 reiterated his view that Lukwago should never 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 nevertheless expressed confidence in the judicial process.
“Justice is normally slow, but justice is justice that waits,” he added.
Lukwago was arrested on June 15, 2026, and 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 but failed to report the information to authorities or take reasonable steps to prevent the commission of the alleged offence.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has opposed his release on bail, arguing that the offence attracts a possible sentence of life imprisonment and that he could interfere with investigations or fail to return for trial if released.
Asked about the state’s opposition to bail, Sseggona said prosecutors had mainly relied on concerns 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, saying the matter was already before court.
“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.
Martha Karua
The lawyer also expressed concern about reports that Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua had allegedly been detained and deported upon arrival 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.
Sseggona said the matter had already been taken up by the Uganda Law Society and other regional bodies for lawyers.
“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.”
He added that, in his view, Karua did not pose any security threat to Uganda.
“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.”
Responding to questions about whether the June 30 mention date could affect Lukwago’s ability to continue representing Dr Kizza Besigye in the treason case, Sseggona said his client’s health remained the overriding issue.
“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, “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.”
Fellow Ugandans, Erias Lukwago’s deferred bail ruling and continued remand should not divert our attention. The real demand must be the immediate release of all political prisoners. Consider the precedent: Dr Kizza Besigye was denied mandatory bail, and countless National Unity Platform (NUP) members—including Eddie Mutwe and Mufumbira—have languished in detention since November 2020. Lukwago’s current fate is simply the regime’s established norm.The administration capitalizes on our collective inaction to maintain business as usual. Unfortunately, the current political landscape shifted dramatically when Robert Kyagulanyi entered the scene, paving the way for blatant militarism. The administration capitalizes on our collective inaction to maintain business as usual. Unfortunately, the current political landscape shifted dramatically when Robert Kyagulanyi entered the scene, paving the way for blatant militarism. General Muhoozi’s provocative social media posts—depicting the degrading treatment of dissidents, including a clean-shaved, naked Eddie Mutwe being forced to learn Luganda, and Lukwago blindfolded, begging for mercy and being taught Kiswahili—vividly illustrate this lawless environment. Why have we allowed this cruelty to become our daily norm? Empty slogans like Kalonde, kakuume, kabanje offered false hope. With Kyagulanyi now in self-imposed exile and our local leadership targeted, the opposition remains fragmented. We are living out the painful reality of “mpawo atalikaba” (no one is spared from weeping). We must unite to demand systemic accountability.
“The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has opposed his release on bail, arguing that the offence attracts a possible sentence of life imprisonment and that he could interfere with investigations or fail to return for trial if released.” Exactly who in his right mind as a tax payer of this country, should be paying for this rich lawyer’s misfortunes so that he can serve a life imprisonment? Is it a total prison bill of billions of Uganda shillings? Mind you there are many more political prisoners locked up under the prosecutor’s consolidated fund. Exactly what is a life imprisonment in Uganda. While prison regulations calculate a nominal period of 20 years for the purpose of granting prisoners “remissions” or early release, the Supreme Court of Uganda has ruled that the sentence itself is legally defined as natural life imprisonment in Uganda?
It is bad indeed that some Uganda rich lawyers have a belief in their lucrative professional that imprisoning as many citizens of this country as possible for free meals in Luzira will rehabilitate the country against normal crimes!!
Apologies for the formatting glitch in my last post. The core message stands: all political prisoners must be released immediately.
What is unfolding before our eyes following Erias Lukwago’s abduction and torture shows we have reached a point of no return. We must remember the tragic ordeal of Allan Ssewanyana and the late Muhammad Ssegirinya, which ultimately cost Ssegirinya his life due to being detained and tortured. While these are prominent figures we all know, countless other innocent Ugandans remain missing, killed, or completely unaccounted for.
Despite this endless pain, Police Spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke, whom many recognize as a Munyarwanda from Lwanda, arrogantly challenges anyone saying there is no peace to step forward and prove it. The blatant torture of Lukwago—culminating in the lawless detention and deportation of Dr Kizza Besigye’s leading counsel, Senior Counsel Martha Karua—is all the proof needed. This systemic overreach proves that Besigye and all political prisoners are being targeted purely for their political stance. We must demand their immediate release now.
Erias Lukwago, Dr Besigye…will rot in prison while Bobi Wine ensures Rwandese Museveni’s ownership of Uganda with fake presidential elections!
But of course, it’s up to Ugandans, in UNITY with just ONE of them as National/Common Leader, to give chance to stop Museveni then forme the kind of governance they want, without harrassing, arresting, imprisoning…one another thus protect Rwandese Museveni!
40 years… of Rwandese Museveni owning Uganda & tribally divided them is normality, knowing the only POWER needed is UNITY to stop him & family!
Why are Ugandans still tribally divided & so so afraid to live without the Rwadese falimy & which immigrant will finally replace them?
Why is it normal Ugandans who oppose Rwandese Museveni in prison while Ugandans stay POWERLESS tribally divided without Common Goal for a different tomorrow for the next generation in a Uganda that will belong to them?
Ugandans, why are you so so afraid to live without the Rwandese family?
Akot, why do you (and some other person I will not mention) keep on blaming Bobi Wine, for every wrong that is happening to this country? Bobi Wine was only a few years old, when this tyrant shot himself into power. And why are you angry with Bobi Wine for having offered himself to oppose Museveni, and not as vitriolic with Mao, and Mafabi and the others? Bobi Wine is as much a victim, as are those in jail and most of the real citizens of this country, of the tyranny and hatred Museveni has for this country and her real citizens. Give Bobi Wine a break for heavens sake.
Zowe, let me put it plainly: I will not stop holding Robert Kyagulanyi accountable. Ever since he entered the political arena, the struggle for genuine change has degenerated. By directly attacking and undermining Dr Kizza Besigye instead of focusing his energies entirely on Museveni, he fractured the opposition. Kyagulanyi frequently criticized Besigye for contesting and losing four times. Yet, we must ask: did Kyagulanyi deliver different results against Museveni?Museveni has rigged every single election he has ever organized. He went to the Luwero bush war under the pretext that Milton Obote rigged the 1980 elections, only to become the most entrenched autocrat Uganda has ever known. Knowing this history, Kyagulanyi still led Ugandans into the 2021 cycle with empty slogans like Kalonde, Kakuume, Kabanje and promised voters to “leave the rest to me.” He failed to deliver on that pledge.Our collective inaction—partially fueled by an opposition leadership more focused on taxpayer-funded parliamentary privileges than systemic defiance—has allowed the regime to escalate its brutality. Today, Museveni and Muhoozi are abducting, torturing, and detaining dissidents at an unprecedented rate.True citizens must demand that the entire opposition withdraw from government completely, refuse to legitimize this parliament, and demand the immediate, unconditional release of all political prisoners. We must draw the line today. As we speak, the regime and its proxies are plotting to change the law so that the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) is elected by the entire parliament rather than appointed by the leading opposition party. While this directly targets Joel Ssenyonyi, its true purpose is to completely strip away any remaining relevance the opposition thinks it has.
Zowe, much as I blame Kyagulanyi, this is the bitter Historical Truth Behind Gen. Otafire’s Message to Buganda.
While many blame Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), equal responsibility must be laid at the feet of the Baganda. During a recent address to militants, Gen. Kahinda Otafire made a profound historical observation. He used the classic Maoist analogy: “Freedom fighters are like fish, and the population is the water in which they swim.” He openly admitted that without the Buganda region serving as that water, the NRA bush war would have failed.
But then came his sharpest rebuke in Luganda: “Naye mwe abaganda mwansobela, oyinza otya okufumba olumbo no luuwa mujja wo yabba alugabula? Ne mufumba oluwombo ne mulu surrendering ewa muuja wamwe yaba alugabula?” (You Baganda let me down. How do you cook a sacred feast like oluwombo only to surrender it to your rival co-wife to distribute it?) He asked, “Mutegedde kye njogera?” (Do you understand what I mean?), gesturing toward the painful reality that despite 5 years of suffering, destroyed homes, and Baganda blood spilled, the ultimate prize was handed straight over to Yoweri Museveni.
Historically, choosing Museveni over Andrew Lutakome Kayiira was a fatal mistake. Museveni rewarded Buganda by eliminating brave Baganda commanders like Nkwanga and later killing Kayiira in cold blood. Otafire concluded, “Ebyo si bye byandese, naye mutegedde kye ngambye” (That’s not what brought me here, but you get the point).
Tragically, Mengo remains blind to Museveni’s ultimate goal to completely dismantle Buganda—a reality recently hinted at by Muhoozi Kainerugaba. From fighting the “Federo” system to the current leadership, Mengo plays into Museveni’s hands. Kabaka Mutebi erred significantly by intervening to stop the Kayunga riots, calling off a fire he did not start. But the deepest betrayal comes from Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga. By officially congratulating Museveni after the rigged 2016 elections, Mayiga legitimised the regime. He is the only Katikkiro in history guarded by Special Forces Command (SFC) militants, comfortably acting like a life-Katikkiro mirroring Museveni’s life-presidency. Mengo prefers “okubabegera ko” (settling for political crumbs) over actual self-governance. If Buganda is to survive the next 40 years of oppression, Mengo must change, and Mayiga must be dismissed.
Remase, thanks.
Unless Ugandans WAKE UP & believe they are real humans to whom Uganda formed by their tribal lands belong, they will remain slaves fighting, imprisoning…one another while Rwandese Museveni & family own Uganda!
Bobi Wine is always there to ensure Rwandese Museveni is maintained in place with fake presidential elections, then he stays silent after while waiting for the next fake inhuman elections!
Only NO to the tribalistic system & UNITY under just ONE Common/National Leader will give chance to stop Rwandese Museveni & family, then & only then will Ugandans be FREE to live, govern as they wish!
So, why are Ugandans still tribally divided without Leadership?
Why will the usless parliament be kept on, knowing it only protects, legalises, constitutionalise Rwandese Museveni?
Tribally powerless divided ruled Ugandans, why are you still alright with the heartless tribal leaders in posts enjoying their free money while ignoring your misereis?
Why are Ugandans so so afraid to live without Rwandese Museveni & family?
Ugandans, NO to the tribalistic system & UNITY, NOW!
Akot, I love you my dearest because, you have always called for unity, however, Kyagulanyi has divided us like never before. We are trapped in this ongoing political quagmire precisely because of Kyagulanyi’s flawed strategy. It is hypocritical to spend years publicly criticizing Dr Kizza Besigye for contesting and losing four times, only to turn around and repeat the exact same pattern yourself. Look at the shifting rhetoric: in the 2021 election, Kyagulanyi relentlessly urged Ugandans to get their national IDs (Ndaga Muntu), cast their votes, and confidently told us to “leave the rest to me.” Fast forward to the 2026 election cycle, and he simply pivoted to empty slogans like Kalonde, Kakuume, Kabanje. Despite the change in language, his approach produced the exact same negative results, leaving ordinary citizens to bear the brunt of regime brutality. This repetitive cycle proves that the elite political class is fundamentally comfortable preserving the status quo. I entirely agree with your observation that Kyagulanyi’s continuous participation only serves to validate and maintain Museveni’s regime through heavily engineered, fraudulent presidential elections. By treating these flawed cycles as legitimate exercises, the opposition stays comfortable gathering taxpayer money in parliament while ordinary Ugandans are left waiting for the next inevitable wave of election-cycle violence.
Lubega Sseggona is living in a complete fantasy world if he thinks the rule of law actually exists in Uganda. Mbu, “The law does not allow me to argue bail in public,” and “Justice is normal slow, but it waits.” Waits for who exactly? Sseggona is just another elite politician sitting comfortably in his bubble, saying whatever it takes to stay politically relevant. This is a man who casually left Shs 118 million in his car at a washing bay—taxpayer money given to him for doing absolutely nothing! While he lectures us about legal procedures, Muhoozi’s forces are abducting and torturing Erias Lukwago with zero regard for the law. Let’s not forget Muhammad Ssegirinya, who died after being brutally detained and tortured for crimes he didn’t commit. Instead of hiding behind legal technicalities, Sseggona should be loudly demanding the immediate release of all political prisoners. The elite comfort zone is destroying our struggle.