By Peter Luzinda
KAMPALA
The High Court has declined to release former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago on bail, finding that the medical evidence presented by his defence did not satisfy the legal standard for granting his application.
Justice David Matovu ruled on Thursday, 30th July, 2026 that while Lukwago’s lawyers submitted a report from specialists at Mulago National Referral Hospital indicating that he required further medical evaluation, the court expected certification from the Uganda Prisons Service confirming that the treatment could not be provided while he remained in custody.
The judge observed that such certification has been required in previous court decisions where applicants sought bail on medical grounds.
Lukwago, who has been on remand at Luzira Prison, is facing a charge of misprision of treason. The prosecution alleges that he knowingly failed to disclose information relating to an alleged plot to overthrow the government between 2021 and 2024. He denies the allegations.
During the hearing, defence lawyers Medard Lubega Ssegona and Samuel Muyizi Mulindwa argued that Lukwago had fulfilled all constitutional conditions for bail. They pointed to his fixed place of residence, prominent sureties and medical conditions, including spinal complications, hypertension and gastritis.
The court acknowledged that the applicant had presented credible sureties but concluded that the medical evidence relied upon was insufficient to justify his release.
Justice Matovu also directed the Deputy Registrar to prepare the case for trial by completing the committal process and assigning it to a substantive judge.
The ruling leaves Lukwago in custody pending trial and comes weeks after the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court also denied him bail. The latest decision is expected to fuel further legal and political debate, with the defence retaining the option of challenging the ruling through the appellate courts.
