Lukwago Breaks Down in Court: "Take Me Back to India or I May Die". Medard says they will not rest until his matter is settled
Lawyer Erias Lukwago, who is facing charges of misprision of treason, has been further remanded until July 16 , 2026 for the next mention of his case
On Tuesday, Lukwago appeared before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court via video link from Luzira Prison, where he gave a detailed account of what he described as worsening health complications that require urgent specialized treatment in India.
Lukwago’s appearance followed a one-week admission at Mulago National Referral Hospital after the Makindye Chief Magistrate directed that he be examined by a team of specialist doctors. He was later discharged and returned to Luzira Prison under the prison medical facility.
Last week, the case was adjourned after prison authorities informed court that Lukwago was too ill to be produced physically in court. His lawyers, led by Medard Ssegona, argued that his condition had deteriorated and sought time for him to recover.
When the matter came up on Tuesday, Lukwago appeared through a Zoom link and informed court that a team of five senior consultants at Mulago Hospital had carried out extensive medical examinations and compiled a detailed report which had already been submitted to court.
He said the report established that he is suffering from five chronic medical conditions requiring continuous management, with one of them requiring immediate review by the surgeons who previously operated on him in India.
According to Lukwago, specialists diagnosed him with chronic lung damage that affects his breathing, forcing him to remain in well-ventilated environments after pulmonary function tests confirmed reduced lung capacity.
He also told court that he continues to suffer severe complications following cervical spine surgery he underwent in India in April 2024. He said Mulago specialists discovered persistent spinal complications but were unable to carry out MRI scans because they could not verify whether the implanted artificial discs were compatible with the machines.
Lukwago said doctors recommended that he immediately return to India for review by his original spine surgeons.
“I need to be in India now if my life is to be saved,” he told court.
He further disclosed that he suffers from irreversible ear and hearing complications, including tinnitus, Eustachian tube dysfunction and Meniere’s disease, conditions which he said leave him unable to sleep without medication.
Lukwago said before his arrest he relied on a specially designed therapeutic tinnitus pillow imported from the United Kingdom. However, he claimed prison authorities dismantled parts of the device over security concerns, rendering it unusable.
He told court that he now depends on powerful sedatives to sleep but warned that doctors have cautioned against prolonged use because of the risks associated with the medication.
Lukwago also informed court that he has been diagnosed with chronic gastritis, among other long-term medical conditions contained in the Mulago medical report.
Earlier, defence lawyer Medard Ssegona asked court to first allow Lukwago to address his health before any other proceedings, arguing that the accused’s medical condition was central to the case.
The prosecution was represented by Chief State Attorney Barbara Masinde together with Senior State Attorneys Nyamuza Jilid and Caroline Opea.
The magistrate handling the session informed the parties he they had no jurisdiction to proceed with the substantive hearing because the trial magistrate was unavailable. However, he allowed Lukwago to briefly address court regarding his medical condition before the matter was adjourned to July 16.
Speaking outside court today, Ssegona reechoed Lukwago’s sentiments, saying the lawyer requires three immediate surgeries abroad. He explained that the conditions in Luzira don’t favour his current state and Mulago Hospital cant do anything about his State , save he goes abroad for medication.
Medard says they will not rest until his matter is settled – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT1X9bTTH6A&t=8s
