The Makindye Chief Magistrates Court has rejected a bail application by the acting President of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), Erias Lukwago in his misprision of treason case.
Chief Magistrate Magistrate Sarah Anne Basemera, through the electornically delivered ruling cited the gravity of the national security offense, outweighed the defense arguments of chronic medical conditions that require specialized care for his release.
However, her worship Basemera ordered the Officer in Charge of Murchison Bay Prison and the Commissioner General of Prisons to facilitate Lukwago’s referral to Mulago National Referral Hospital for a comprehensive medical assessment and treatment, within 24 hours of the ruling.
“By the appropriate specialists, taking into account the medical records and reports already on the Court record” She ordered.
Basemera further allowed Lukwago’s wife and one lawyer to access him during the referral and treatment process at all times.
“They shall be allowed to receive a copy of the medical report and recommendations issued by the attending specialists, subject to the applicable prison regulations and security requirements” she said.
She further ordered doctors at Mulago to prepare a written medical report detailing its findings, and recommendations that they will share with the court.
“The Officer in Charge of Murchison Bay Prison shall ensure that the applicant continues to receive all prescribed medication, and appropriate medical care pending and following the said assessment, and shall implement the recommendations of the attending specialists” she said.
According to prosecution, between 2021 and November 2024, across various places including Kampala and Nairobi, Kenya, Lukwago knew that high-profile opposition leaders including Col. (Rtd.) Dr. Kizza Besigye, Joel Wakayima, Frank Kihere Atukunda, and Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, intended to commit treason but deliberately failed to inform authorities or prevent the crime.
Lukwago is expected back in court on June 30th for mention of the case, which coincides with his clients Dr. Besigye and Hajji Obeid appearance before the High Court to start their treason trial.
