High Court to Try Lukwago on Misprision of Treason Charge

Former Kampala Lord Mayor and People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) President Erias Lukwago has been committed to the High Court for trial on a charge of misprision of treason after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) concluded investigations into the case.  

Makindye Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera on Thursday committed Lukwago to the High Court after the prosecution presented committal papers approved by the DPP, bringing proceedings before the Magistrates’ Court to an end.           

Lukwago, who remains on remand, has not entered a plea because treason-related offences can only be tried by the High Court. A hearing date will be fixed by the High Court.         

According to an indictment signed by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Thomas Jatiko, Lukwago is accused of failing to report information relating to an alleged plot to overthrow the Government of Uganda between 2021 and November 2024.         

The prosecution alleges that, as President of the People’s Front for Freedom, Lukwago knew that opposition figures, including Dr. Kizza Besigye, Hajji Obeid Lutale, Joel Wakhaima and Frank Kiherere Atukunda, allegedly intended to commit treason but neither informed the authorities nor took reasonable steps to prevent the alleged offences.           

The charge is brought under Section 25 of the Penal Code Act, which criminalises the failure to promptly report knowledge of intended treason to the relevant authorities.         

According to the prosecution, investigations began after Andrew Wilson, described as the proprietor of a private security company dealing in firearms, investigations and tactical training, allegedly alerted Uganda’s military intelligence that he had been approached by Switzerland-based Ugandan Joel Wakhaima to source weapons, military equipment and training for a group allegedly planning to overthrow the government through armed rebellion.             

Prosecutors say Wilson subsequently worked as an undercover operative under the supervision of military intelligence, secretly recording meetings and conversations with individuals allegedly linked to the plot.          

Court documents indicate that Wilson later attended meetings in Brussels, Geneva and Nairobi involving several opposition politicians and activists. 

The prosecution alleges that Lukwago attended one of the meetings in Brussels, where discussions centred on recruiting Wilson as a military and security adviser for the alleged plot, but failed to report the information to authorities.        

   
According to the indictment, Lukwago also knew of a November 2024 meeting in Nairobi where discussions allegedly included acquiring surface-to-air missiles, drones and other weapons, as well as plans to assassinate President Yoweri Museveni and trigger civil disobedience, but deliberately failed to disclose the information. 

The DPP says it intends to rely on covert audio and video recordings, forensic examinations of electronic devices, WhatsApp communications, immigration records, travel histories and other documentary evidence during the trial.       

The case is closely linked to the substantive treason case against Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale, who were arrested in Nairobi in November 2024. 

       
Following the committal proceedings, Lukwago’s lawyer, Medard Lubega Ssegona, asked the court to allow his client to travel under prison guard to Fortis Memorial Research Institute Hospital in India for specialised treatment, with his wife accompanying him at their own expense.        

In the alternative, the defence asked the court to order prison authorities to replace Lukwago’s specialised electrically powered medical pillow, which they said had been dismantled by prison officials, and to ensure he is kept in a well-ventilated environment.   

Addressing the court, Lukwago said his health had deteriorated while on remand. 

He told the court that specialists at Mulago National Referral Hospital had recommended surgery and that prison medical staff were only monitoring his condition.

He said he now depends on sedatives to sleep and appealed to the State to facilitate his treatment so he could adequately prepare for trial.       

Lukwago will remain on remand until the High Court schedules his trial. Meanwhile, Dr. Besigye and Hajji Lutale are expected to return to the High Court on July 29, 2026, when proceedings in their substantive treason case are due to resume.