Former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has been charged with misprision of treason alongside opposition figure Kizza Besigye and several others following two days in detention.
Lukwago was on Wednesday arraigned before the Makindye Magistrates Court after being held by security agencies since his arrest on Monday. His co-accused include Frank Kihehere, Joel Wakayima, Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulega and other individuals linked to the case.
The development follows a dramatic security operation at Lukwago’s residence in Wakaliga, Kampala, where personnel from the Uganda Police Force and the Special Forces Command (SFC) reportedly conducted an early morning raid before taking him into custody.
According to eyewitness accounts, heavily armed security personnel sealed off roads around the residence before arresting the former Lord Mayor. Following his arrest, Lukwago was reportedly held at an undisclosed location, raising concern among family members, political supporters and human rights activists who demanded information about his whereabouts.
On Wednesday morning, authorities transferred Lukwago to Kira Division Police Station, where he was formally charged and detained for several hours before being escorted under tight security to court.
His legal team, led by Busiro East MP and lawyer Medard Ssegona, immediately applied for bail, arguing that Lukwago’s health condition necessitates his temporary release while legal proceedings continue.
Sources close to the family indicated that access to the opposition politician during the recording of his statement was highly restricted. Only his lawyer and wife, Nnaalongo Zawedde Lukwago, were reportedly permitted to meet him during the process.
The court proceedings attracted significant public interest, with supporters gathering outside the court premises awaiting the outcome of the bail application and details of the charges.
By press time, the court was still considering the defence team’s request for bail.
The charges against Lukwago and his co-accused are expected to heighten political tensions and generate further debate within Uganda’s political landscape, with opposition groups closely monitoring the case and its implications.
Security agencies had not issued a detailed public statement on the arrests by the time court proceedings concluded, while defence lawyers maintained that the charges would be vigorously challenged through the legal process.
