Mega Fm & Agency
Former Kampala Lord Mayor and People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) President Erias Lukwago has been committed to the High Court for trial on a charge of misprision of treason after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) concluded investigations into the case.
Makindye Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera on Thursday committed Lukwago to the High Court after the prosecution presented committal papers approved by the DPP, bringing proceedings before the Magistrates’ Court to an end.
Lukwago, who remains on remand, has not entered a plea because treason-related offences can only be tried by the High Court. A hearing date will be fixed by the High Court.
According to an indictment signed by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Thomas Jatiko, Lukwago is accused of failing to report information relating to an alleged plot to overthrow the Government of Uganda between 2021 and November 2024.
The prosecution alleges that, as President of the People’s Front for Freedom, Lukwago knew that opposition figures, including Dr. Kizza Besigye, Hajji Obeid Lutale, Joel Wakhaima and Frank Kiherere Atukunda, allegedly intended to commit treason but neither informed the authorities nor took reasonable steps to prevent the alleged offences.
The charge is brought under Section 25 of the Penal Code Act, which criminalises the failure to promptly report knowledge of intended treason to the relevant authorities.
Lawyers representing Lukwago have asked the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court to allow him to travel to India under security escort for specialised medical treatment, citing findings from a medical assessment conducted at Mulago National Referral Hospital according to the Nile Post News Agency.
The request was made on Thursday as Lukwago appeared physically in court, looking visibly frail, while proceedings continued in the case in which he is charged with misprision of treason.
During the hearing, defence lawyer Medard Lubega Ssegona relied on a medical report prepared after the court directed that Lukwago undergo a comprehensive examination at Mulago National Referral Hospital.
According to the defence, the specialists diagnosed Lukwago with hypertension, post-COVID-19 complications, respiratory problems, ear, nose and throat conditions, gastrointestinal complications and cervical spine complications linked to an earlier artificial disc replacement surgery.
The defence said the medical team recommended continued treatment for hypertension, placement in a well-ventilated environment because of his respiratory condition, management of gastrointestinal symptoms and a review by the spine surgeons in India who performed his earlier surgery.
