Former Kampala Lord Mayor and prominent opposition lawyer Erias Lukwago has reportedly been rushed to Mulago National Referral Hospital in critical condition, triggering renewed demands for his immediate release on medical grounds as concerns mount over his deteriorating health while on remand at Luzira Prison.
According to reports circulating on Monday, October 19, 2026, Lukwago was transferred from Murchison Bay Prison Hospital to Mulago, where he is said to require urgent medical attention. Sources close to the family and his legal team have expressed concern that his condition has deteriorated to a level requiring intensive care.
Former deputy Kampala Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura Omutatina announced that Lukwago had been rushed to Mulago in critical condition, although the precise nature of his latest medical emergency and his treatment at the hospital had not been publicly detailed.
The hospital had not issued a publicly available medical statement confirming his admission to the intensive care unit by the time of publication.
The development has intensified calls from opposition politicians, lawyers and supporters for the state to allow the former city leader to access specialised treatment, including possible treatment abroad.
Luyimbazi Nalukoola, a lawyer and political ally, described the situation as a humanitarian emergency, saying Lukwago’s deteriorating health should transcend political differences.
In a statement titled A Call for Humanity, Justice, and Immediate Medical Freedom for Ssalongo Erias Lukwago, Nalukoola said he had received the news with “deep concern and profound indignation”.
He said Lukwago had spent months appearing before courts while visibly weakened and in severe pain, arguing that his medical condition required urgent intervention beyond what could be provided under detention.
“Must a person first perish in custody before their right to specialised healthcare is recognised?” Nalukoola asked, demanding that the state respect the medical recommendations made by its own senior consultants.
He urged the courts to grant Lukwago immediate bail to facilitate access to the treatment he needs, warning that detention should not prevent an accused person from receiving appropriate medical care.
The medical conditions threatening Lukwago
Lukwago’s health problems have featured prominently in court proceedings since his arrest in June, with his lawyers detailing several chronic conditions they say have been aggravated by detention.
The 56-year-old lawyer has previously reported suffering from hypertension, chronic gastritis, respiratory complications and serious spinal problems associated with an earlier cervical spine operation.
In June, his legal team told the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court that he had suffered a severe hypertension episode while in custody. According to submissions by his lawyers, his blood pressure reached 217/100 shortly before a court appearance, raising fears of a potentially life-threatening complication.
His lawyers also alleged that his spinal condition had worsened following his arrest, leaving him in considerable pain and requiring specialist assessment.
Lukwago underwent cervical spine surgery in India in 2024, during which an artificial disc was implanted. His subsequent complaints have included persistent pain and weakness affecting his left arm.
A medical assessment reported in July identified persistent upper-limb radiculitis and reduced strength in the arm. Doctors also raised questions about the compatibility of the implanted device with available magnetic resonance imaging equipment, delaying confirmation of whether another MRI scan could safely be conducted.
The medical concerns prompted recommendations for further assessment by specialists, including the spine surgeons who had previously treated him in India.
During court proceedings in July, Lukwago told the magistrate that Mulago specialists had identified multiple chronic conditions and that he needed urgent medical intervention abroad.
His respiratory complications have also raised concern because, according to his lawyers, he experiences breathing difficulties in enclosed or poorly ventilated environments.
The combination of spinal pain, respiratory problems and hypertension has formed the basis of repeated demands for his release on medical grounds.
Bail battle and questions over access to treatment
Lukwago’s legal team has repeatedly sought his release, arguing that detention is incompatible with the specialised medical care his condition requires.
However, the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court denied his initial bail application in June, citing concerns including the seriousness of the charge and the possibility of interference with investigations.
The court nevertheless directed prison authorities to ensure that he received appropriate medical care and ordered a comprehensive assessment at Mulago National Referral Hospital.
He was subsequently transferred to Mulago for examination and treatment before returning to prison, according to reports published during the proceedings.
In July, Lukwago sought further court intervention to facilitate treatment in India after saying specialists had recommended additional assessment by neurosurgeons familiar with his earlier surgery.
His legal representatives have continued to argue that access to prison medical services alone may not be sufficient to address his condition.
Lukwago’s allies say repeated attempts to secure medical bail have been frustrated by delays and changes in court proceedings. However, the available court reports document an initial denial of bail and subsequent hearings and adjournments; the latest status of any fresh application was not independently confirmed by the time of publication.
The latest hospital transfer has therefore renewed the question of whether his treatment can be adequately managed while he remains in custody.
How the dispute with Muhoozi escalated
Lukwago’s detention followed a dramatic confrontation involving Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of President Yoweri Museveni.
On June 15, armed security personnel reportedly seized Lukwago from his home in Wakaliga, Kampala. His wife, Zawedde Lubwama Lukwago, said soldiers forced their way into the residence and took him away.
The arrest came amid a legal dispute involving Dr Kizza Besigye, the veteran opposition politician whom Lukwago represents, and a separate case concerning alleged threats against Besigye by Gen Muhoozi.
Gen Muhoozi subsequently acknowledged his role in the operation through posts on X, publishing photographs of Lukwago in custody.
In one post, he wrote, “Ongea Kiswahili”, meaning “Speak Swahili”.
The photographs and comments triggered widespread criticism from opposition politicians and legal organisations, with questions raised about the legality of military involvement in the arrest and the public humiliation of a detained lawyer.
Lukwago’s arrest followed his involvement in legal proceedings challenging Gen Muhoozi over alleged threats against Besigye.
Lukwago was later transferred to police custody and charged with misprision of treason, an offence involving the alleged failure to report knowledge of treasonous activities.
Prosecutors allege that he knew of an alleged plot involving Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya to overthrow the government but failed to report it. Lukwago has denied the charge.
The circumstances surrounding his arrest and subsequent detention have drawn condemnation from lawyers’ organisations and human rights advocates, who have raised concerns about due process and access to legal representation.
The Besigye connection
Lukwago has long been associated with Uganda’s opposition movement, combining his legal practice with political activism and public service.
As one of Besigye’s lawyers, he has participated in high-profile proceedings involving the opposition leader’s detention and prosecution.
He also represents Besigye in legal action concerning Gen Muhoozi’s alleged threats against the opposition figure.
The two men’s legal and political struggles have increasingly intersected, placing Lukwago at the centre of a confrontation involving the military leadership, opposition politics and the courts.
His arrest and prosecution over an allegation linked to a case involving his own client have raised concerns among legal advocates about the implications for the independence of lawyers and the right to representation.
Lukwago is also president of the People’s Front for Freedom, an opposition political organisation, and served as Kampala’s lord mayor for three terms between 2011 and 2026.
Throughout his political career, he has frequently challenged government decisions through public criticism and court action.
Calls for medical freedom
The reported transfer to Mulago has placed Lukwago’s health at the centre of renewed public debate.
Nalukoola said the state should recognise that medical treatment is a fundamental right and should not be withheld because of political disagreements or criminal allegations.
He also expressed sympathy for Lukwago’s wife and children, who have faced prolonged uncertainty over his condition and detention.
The immediate priority, his supporters argue, should be an authoritative medical update explaining his condition, the treatment being provided and whether specialists believe he needs further intervention abroad.
The state has a responsibility to ensure that people held in custody receive appropriate healthcare, regardless of their political affiliation or the charges they face. Equally, Lukwago remains entitled to due process as his criminal case proceeds.
For now, the full details of his latest medical emergency remain unclear. Neither the precise cause of the reported deterioration nor his current response to treatment has been established in a publicly available medical statement.
But with his longstanding spinal, respiratory and cardiovascular concerns already documented in court, the latest reports have intensified calls for urgent action.
For his family, colleagues and supporters, the immediate concern is whether the former lord mayor will receive the specialised care they say he needs before his condition deteriorates further
Author Profile
- Charles Gazza Kodili is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication. He’s currently the Chief Editor at the Investigator.
Charles can also be reached via; Tel: +256 774 108978
Email: [email protected]
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