Former Kampala Lord Mayor and senior lawyer Erias Lukwago has been charged with misprision of treason, a charge he denies. His legal team, led by Medard Lubega Ssegona, has applied for bail, citing health concerns.
The prosecution alleges that between 2021 and 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, Lukwago, together with others, became aware of alleged treason-related plans but failed to report them to the relevant authorities.
Misprision of treason is a criminal offence that involves knowingly failing to report or act upon information about plans to overthrow or unlawfully change the government. It is also understood as the concealment or failure to disclose treason-related activity to authorities. Unlike treason itself, which involves direct participation or support of such acts, misprision focuses on silence or failure to report.
Under Ugandan law, the offence carries a severe penalty, including a maximum sentence of life imprisonment upon conviction.
Lukwago’s arrest unfolded on June 15 when armed personnel reportedly picked him from his home in Wakaliga, Kampala. He was taken to an undisclosed location before later being moved to Kira Division Police, where he remained in custody until Wednesday afternoon.
At around 3pm, he was transported to Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court, where he was formally arraigned and charged with misprision of treason.
The arrest occurred while Lukwago was preparing to serve court summons on Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba. The summons were connected to a separate case involving alleged threats against opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye.
Lukwago, a prominent legal figure, is part of the defence team representing Dr Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale, both of whom are facing treason-related charges before the courts.
