Makindye Chief Magistrates Court has further remanded former Kampala Lord Mayor and opposition figure Erias Lukwago after postponing a ruling on his bail application, with the decision now expected to be delivered electronically within 24 hours.
Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera informed lawyers that she had not finalized her ruling and would instead communicate the decision through the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECMIS). The court also ordered Lukwago to return physically on June 30, 2026, for the mention of his case.
The June 30 appearance coincides with a scheduled court session involving veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, a development likely to attract heightened public and political attention.
The magistrate cited concerns about the courtroom environment and the need for additional time to review the legal arguments presented by both the defence and prosecution.
Earlier in the day, court proceedings had been adjourned at 10:00 a.m., with parties informed that the ruling would be delivered at 2:00 p.m. However, when court reconvened, neither the magistrate nor Lukwago appeared in the courtroom. A closed-door meeting involving Basemera, Lukwago and his legal team followed in the magistrate’s chambers before lawyers were informed that the ruling was not yet ready.
Addressing journalists after the session, lead defence lawyer Medard Lubega Sseggona expressed disappointment at the delay but said the defence would await the court’s decision.
“Her Worship the Chief Magistrate advised that her ruling is not ready. Owing to the sensitivity of the case and the environment, she undertook to deliver the ruling by email via ECMIS within 24 hours,” Sseggona said.
He added that the court had taken note of concerns raised by the defence regarding Lukwago’s health and indicated it intended to issue a detailed ruling.
“The Magistrate has informed us that her ruling is not ready. She has taken note of all the health concerns we raised. She also said she was concerned about the big crowd in court and did not wish to reconvene the crowd only to inform them that the ruling was not ready. She also intends to write a longer ruling on the matter,” Sseggona said.
The defence team has consistently argued that Lukwago should be granted bail based on his health condition, permanent residence, and standing as a public figure.
Sseggona also voiced concern about what he described as a worsening health situation for his client while in custody, urging the court to consider medical factors in its decision.
Following the postponement, prison authorities returned Lukwago to Luzira Prison to await the outcome of the application. The former Kampala Lord Mayor is facing a charge of misprision of treason, with prosecutors alleging that he failed to report knowledge of a purported treason plot. Lukwago denies the allegations.
The proceedings drew significant public interest, with supporters gathering at the court in anticipation of a ruling. Some appeared visibly distressed after learning that the decision had been deferred and that Lukwago would remain in custody pending the electronic ruling.
Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) president Jimmy Akena criticized the delay, questioning the independence of the judiciary.
“I don’t believe the judicial office has real independence to act as they are supposed to under the law. Everything else is being determined elsewhere and that is where the problem is. The court is not free,” Akena said.
Meanwhile, the case has attracted regional attention following reports that Kenyan politician and lawyer Martha Karua, who had travelled to Kampala intending to join Lukwago’s defence team, was prevented from participating. Sseggona criticized the move, arguing that accused persons should be free to choose legal representation from across the East African Community, subject to the relevant accreditation requirements.
With the ruling now expected on Tuesday, June 23, attention has shifted to the ECMIS platform, where the court’s decision on Lukwago’s bail application is anticipated.
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