As it stands right now, senior counsel and veteran politician Erias Lukwago has been sent back to Luzira prison until Court’s decision on his bail application is delivered. The Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court postponed its ruling on the bail application of city lawyer and political figure Erias Lukwago, who is facing charges of misprision of […]
As it stands right now, senior counsel and veteran politician Erias Lukwago has been sent back to Luzira prison until Court’s decision on his bail application is delivered.
The Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court postponed its ruling on the bail application of city lawyer and political figure Erias Lukwago, who is facing charges of misprision of treason.
The ruling, which had been expected on Monday, will now be delivered within the next 24 hours through the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), the judiciary’s online court platform.
Speaking to journalists outside court, Lukwago’s lead lawyer, Medard Ssegona, revealed that Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera informed both the prosecution and defence that she required more time to carefully study the matter before issuing her decision.
According to Ssegona, the magistrate described the case as highly sensitive due to the nature of the charge facing Lukwago and indicated that her ruling is expected to be detailed and comprehensive.
“Her Worship informed us that owing to the sensitivity of the charge of misprision of treason, she needed additional time to carefully read through all the submissions and prepare a proper ruling. She requested for patience and advised that the ruling would be delivered within 24 hours through ECCMIS,” Ssegona said.
The lawyer added that the magistrate invited members of the defence team into her chambers where she explained that it would not be appropriate to reconvene court merely to announce that the ruling was not yet ready.
“She advised us to stay glued to our computers because the ruling will be uploaded online once it is ready,” Ssegona explained.
The court also fixed June 30 for the mention of the main case.
Despite the delay, Ssegona said the defence team remains resolute and hopeful as they await the court’s decision.
“We remain brave because we are duty-bound to defend our client and ensure that justice is done,” he said.
Ssegona further raised concerns about the health of detainees whose pleas for medical attention were allegedly not acted upon in time. He cited the case of a German national who was reportedly denied bail in Kalangala and later died, as well as the late Muhammad Ssegirinya, who repeatedly informed courts about his deteriorating health while on remand.
The defence has consistently argued that Lukwago is suffering from serious medical conditions that require specialised treatment and has urged court not to ignore the risks associated with continued detention.
Lawyers and family members await the much-anticipated bail ruling that could determine whether Lukwago walks free as he battles the treason-related
