The Makindye Chief Magistrate’s court has denied bail and further remanded former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, to Luzira prison until Tuesday, when the trial magistrate will pass her ruling on the bail application.
On Monday, Makindye Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera, was expected to deliver her ruling on Luwago’s bail application, Lukwago was arraigned before the court at around 10:30 am, but her worship Basemera adjourned the hearing until 2pm for the bail hearing.
However, following hours of waiting for the bail application hearing to start, the gallery was informed that her Worship Basemera, had deferred her ruling on the bail application, and will pass it online in 24 hours.
Basemera further ordered Lukwago to appear physically before the 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.
Lukwago, who is also the acting president of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party is facing charges of misprision of treason, alongside Frank Kihehere, Joel Wakayima, Dr Kizza Besigye , Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulega among others.
The Deputy Lord Mayor Emeritus, Doreen Nyanjura, described the decision as heart-breaking.
“Heartbreaking!!The Magistrate sitting in her chambers has decided that counsel Erias Lukwago’s bail ruling will be delivered online with in 24 hours” she posted on her X account.
Earlier in the day, Lukwago’s counterpart in the veteran opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye, and his aide Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulega’s treason case, Kenyan Senior Counsel, Martha Karua was blocked from entering Uganda at Entebbe International Airport, to defend Lukwago, as he sought for bail today.
Earlier in the day, the Uganda Prisons spokesperson SCP Frank Baine, dismissed reports that Lukwago is sharing a cell with TB patients, stating that inmates with illnesses are managed in designated prison sick bays at Luzira Prison.
This followed information from Lukwago’s lawyer Medard Sseggona, alleging that Lukwago is being held near a TB ward in prison, raising health concerns.
