Former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has been charged with misprision of treason and remanded to Luzira Prison until Monday, June 22, 2026, when his case will come up for mention and a ruling on his bail application is expected.
Lukwago, who appeared weak when he was brought before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, denied the charges.
Misprision of treason is an offence in which a person is accused of knowing that another individual was planning or had committed treason but failed to report the matter to authorities or take steps to prevent it.
Lukwago was taken to Kira Division Police Station on Wednesday after spending two days in detention at an undisclosed location.
His lawyer, Medard Sseggona, applied for bail, arguing that the ongoing treason case involving Dr Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale, which is already at the hearing stage, could be disrupted since Lukwago is the lead defence counsel.
However, the court found the submissions insufficient to warrant his release on bail and declined the application.
At Kira Division Police Station, access to Lukwago was restricted, with only his lawyer, Medard Sseggona, and his wife allowed to visit him before he was later transferred to court.
Lukwago was arrested on Monday morning after security personnel reportedly picked him up from his home in Wakaliga. According to his lawyers, the officers forced their way into the house before taking him away in a security vehicle to an undisclosed location.
Later, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba said on social media that Lukwago was being held at his residence, claiming he was learning Swahili.
The CDF later shared a photograph appearing to show Lukwago blindfolded with a scarf, a move that attracted criticism from some members of the public and opposition figures over the treatment of the former mayor.
Lukwago is the lead defence counsel in the treason case involving opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye and his aide, Hajji Obeid Lutale.
Reports indicate that his arrest followed an attempt to serve court summons on Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba over alleged death threats reportedly directed at Besigye.
Lukwago has since reportedly been added to the same case file as Besigye and Lutale, who have remained on remand since their arrest in Kenya in November 2024 over allegations of plotting to overthrow the government.
The matter is before court as investigations continue.
