Lukwago’s wife pleads for his temporary freedom
Lukwago remains on remand at Luzira Prison after he was charged with misprision of treason before the Makindye Chief Magistrates Court last month on June 17.
Former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago with wife, Zawedde Lubwama. (File photo)
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Calls for respect for the rule of law and constitutionalism dominated the duwa prayers for the embattled former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago at his home in Wakaliga, Kampala on Wednesday (July 15).
Lukwago remains on remand at Luzira Prison after he was charged with misprision of treason before the Makindye Chief Magistrates Court last month on June 17.
The state claims that he was aware of an alleged plot by four-time presidential candidate and Opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye to overthrow the Ugandan government but failed to report to the authorities as required under the law.
Speaking at the duwa prayers, Lukwago’s wife, Zawedde Lubwama, appealed to the Judiciary to release her husband on bail to fly to India for specialised treatment before his condition worsens.
“Now that we have a medical report from Mulago National Referral Hospital confirming that my husband is sick and requires urgent surgery from his primary doctors in India, I request the Judiciary to release him on bail so that he can access specialised treatment before his condition worsens,” she said.
Lubwama said if the Judiciary cannot release him on bail, it should order the prison authorities to fly him to India for treatment to save his life since they have already indicated that they lack the capacity to treat him.
Lukwago’s elder brother, Hajji Abdu Ssewankambo, condemned the manner in which Lukwago was treated following his arrest, saying it was "inhumane".
He thanked the people who turned up for the duwa prayers and beseeched God to answer the prayers, including MPs Elias Luyimbaazi Nalukoola, George Musisi, and Abdallah Kiwanuka.
“It is through moments like these that you get to know your true friends. Lukwago has fought for the rights of others and it is time for you to pay him,” said Ssewankambo.
Speaker after speaker, including Sheikh Abdurrahman Kasaliko who led the special invocations, urged the Government to uphold the rule of law and constitutionalism for a better country, warning that disregarding this may drag the country backwards.
He also appealed to the Government to ensure the functionality of its organs without interference.
Hajji Siraje Katantazi, the UMLAS chief executive officer, said they were concerned with the manner in which Lukwago was treated and hence decided to join hands with his family to beseech God to save him.
“We appeal to the authorities to respect the rule of law and constitutionalism and also treat all citizens with respect and dignity. What happened to Lukwago left us wondering where our country is headed. When we saw the pictures, they left us wondering what he had done to deserve such because I have never heard Lukwago insulting anyone apart from agitating for respect for rule of law and constitutionalism,” Katantazi said.
Dr Lulume Bayiga, the deputy president of the opposition People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party in charge of Buganda region, said silence is not an option for them, vowing to "speak out on whatever ills are going on in our country unless you send all of us to jail".
Bayiga said there is need for political actors to tolerate one another.
Ambassador Wasswa Birigwa, the PFF national chairman, urged opposition actors to remain strong and also look after the families of those he described as political prisoners.
“Dr Kizza Besigye and others are very strong and you, therefore, remain very strong. When I talked to him, he said it is us who are outside that are prisoners not them,” he said Birigwa.
Drawing from the speech which ULS president Isaac Ssemakadde delivered during the Benedicto Kiwanuka memorial lecture in 2024, ULS vice-president Anthony Asiimwe urged the judicial officers to honour justice and not those in power.