he High Court has denied bail to former Kampala Lord Mayor and People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) leader Erias Lukwago, ordering that he remain on remand at Luzira Prison as he awaits trial on a charge of misprision of treason.
In a ruling delivered on July 30, Justice David Matovu said the court was not persuaded that Lukwago had demonstrated sufficient grounds to justify his release pending trial in High Court Criminal Session Case No. 335 of 2025.
The judge based his decision primarily on concerns raised by the prosecution regarding the likelihood of Lukwago absconding and the possibility of interfering with witnesses.
State Attorney Joseph Kyomuhendo argued that the offence of misprision of treason under Section 25 of the Penal Code Act carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. According to the prosecution, the severity of the potential punishment increases the risk that the accused could flee if granted bail.
Justice Matovu agreed, holding that the seriousness of the charge and the possible sentence were relevant factors in assessing whether Lukwago would return to court to stand trial.
The court also upheld the prosecution’s concerns that Lukwago could interfere with witnesses. Prosecutors argued that, as a senior advocate and prominent political figure, he has personal and professional connections with several key prosecution witnesses, including Col. Dr Kizza Besigye, Hajj Obeid Lutale and others named in the indictment. They contended that his release could compromise the ongoing proceedings, a submission the judge accepted.
The prosecution further challenged the suitability of Lukwago’s four proposed sureties—advocates Chrisestom Katumba and Abdul Sewankambo, as well as Members of Parliament Betty Nambooze and Moses Kasibante—arguing that they were not sufficiently substantial to guarantee his attendance throughout the trial.
The court also considered medical evidence presented by the defence, including a report prepared by a team of five consultants from Mulago National Referral Hospital recommending specialised spinal treatment in India. However, Justice Matovu ruled that the medical concerns, together with Lukwago’s constitutional presumption of innocence, did not outweigh the need to ensure his attendance in court and protect the integrity of the trial.
Lukwago was charged on June 17 before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court with allegedly failing to report an alleged plot to overthrow the government between 2021 and November 2024. He was subsequently committed to the High Court for trial and has remained on remand at Luzira Prison since then.