Lukwago joins his Dr. Besigye in Luzira as Court Remands Him Over Misprision of Treason Charges,

By Abraham Lincolns | Kampala

Former Kampala Lord Mayor and veteran opposition lawyer Erias Lukwago was produced before Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court after days of uncertainty following his dramatic arrest by armed security personnel.

Lukwago the lead lawyer for detained opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye, appeared visibly weak, thinner was charged with misprision of treason and remanded till Monday 20th June 2026, joining his client Dr. Besigye, Frank Kihehere, Joel Wakayima, Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya and others.

The offence of misprision of treason refers to allegedly failing to report knowledge of plans to overthrow or unlawfully change the government. His appearance immediately sparked fresh outrage among supporters, lawyers, politicians and human rights activists who questioned the circumstances under which he had been detained.

Lukwago’s troubles began in the wee hours of Monday when armed military personnel reportedly raided his home in Wakaliga, jumped over the perimeter wall before forcefully throwing him in a numberless drone car to an unknown destination for days before dropping him at Kiira division police headquarters.

Outside the police station, journalists, relatives and political supporters gathered hoping to see him or obtain information about his condition. However, police dispersed the crowd. One officer reportedly justified the action by saying the gathering was disrupting normal operations and discouraging other members of the public from accessing police services.

When he was finally brought before Makindye Court, many were shocked by his physical appearance. The veteran lawyer appeared noticeably frail, weak and fatigued up compared to his condition just days before his arrest.

Lukwago’s legal team, led by Hon. Medard Ssegona, immediately announced that they were seeking bail on health grounds.The lawyers argued that their client’s deteriorating physical condition required urgent medical attention and that continued detention could worsen his health.

The arrest has also reignited debate over the relationship between military operations and civilian criminal proceedings. Several political commentators questioned why security agencies initially withheld information regarding Lukwago’s whereabouts before eventually producing him in court.

Others argued that suspects should be promptly presented before court and granted access to lawyers and family in accordance with constitutional safeguards. Human rights advocates have also raised concerns over the treatment of detainees and called for independent investigations into allegations of mistreatment while in custody.

Lukwago’s prosecution comes as authorities continue pursuing several individuals linked to the broader case involving Dr. Kizza Besigye. By adding Lukwago to the list of accused persons, prosecutors have significantly widened one of the country’s most politically sensitive criminal cases. Legal analysts say the coming weeks are likely to attract intense public attention as courts consider bail applications, examine the evidence and determine how the case proceeds.

Misprision of treason is a criminal offense in which an individual who is aware that treason is being planned or has been committed deliberately conceals that knowledge and fails to report it to the proper authorities. This offense exists in various common-law jurisdictions, including the United States, the Philippines, and Uganda.

Erias Lukwago who is also the PFF president was remanded to Luzira Prison by Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera. The presiding judicial officer handed down this order at the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court after Lukwago denied charges of misprision of treason.

Dr. Lulume Bayiga, the PFF vice president Buganda region says accused looked failed because he feared for his life and had no reason to trust that the food he was served while in the dungeons was poison free.

“I have interacted with my Party President Erias Lukwago Ssalongo in the Magistrated court at Makindye this afternoon, after days of detention by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the Uganda people’s Defense Forces, in the dungeons and told me that he was hit on the head, tortured and mistreated in the hands of his assailants and feared to eat their food” Lulume said.

He appreciated Ugandans for exerting pressure through all forms of media demand the revelation of Lukwago. He added that Lukwago is safer in Muchison Bay than in the dungeons. “We pray for Lukwago’s health, and courage to fight on and for the family to endure the pain” Lulume added