Lawyers representing former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago are making renewed efforts to secure an urgent High Court hearing for his bail application following a reported deterioration in his health while in custody.
The legal team, led by former Busiro East Member of Parliament Medard Lubega Sseggona, confirmed that the opposition politician had recently been rushed to hospital after his condition worsened.
Speaking in a telephone interview, Sseggona said Lukwago’s family was concentrating on attending to him at the hospital and was not in a position to address the media. He added that the defence had so far been unable to secure a hearing date despite the urgency of the situation.
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“We are doing our best to see if we can get a date to hear his bail application. Unfortunately, so far, we haven’t succeeded. But he is in bad shape,” Sseggona said.
The lawyer explained that a scheduled court session at which Lukwago was expected to appear did not take place after the presiding judge was called away to attend to a sick relative. Although the defence was promised an alternative date, none had been confirmed by press time.
Sseggona said securing a hearing date remained the legal team’s immediate priority to enable Lukwago to obtain appropriate medical care.
“Our focus is on ensuring that the application is placed before court as soon as possible, especially given his current condition,” he added.
The defence is also considering options for specialised treatment abroad, including in India, with Sseggona indicating that medical evacuation arrangements could be pursued if Lukwago is granted temporary release on bail.
This is Lukwago’s fourth attempt to secure bail since his arrest at his home in Wakaliga, Rubaga Division, Kampala, on June 15, 2026. He was subsequently remanded to Luzira Prison and charged with misprision of treason over an alleged plot to overthrow the government alongside veteran opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye and others.
The prosecution alleges that Lukwago knew about the alleged plot but failed to disclose it to the relevant authorities. The allegations remain subject to court proceedings.
Concerns about Lukwago’s health have previously prompted judicial intervention over his access to medical care. On June 24, 2026, the court directed Uganda Prisons Service authorities to take him to Mulago National Referral Hospital for a comprehensive medical assessment. He was transferred from Murchison Bay Prison to Mulago on June 25 for specialised examinations.
The defence maintains that prolonged detention threatens his wellbeing and limits his access to specialised medical care.
Efforts to obtain a comment from Uganda Prisons Service officials were unsuccessful, as repeated telephone calls went unanswered by press time.
The timing of the bail hearing remains uncertain, with Lukwago’s lawyers continuing to press for the application to be heard as soon as possible.
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