By Ben Musanje
A growing legal and political storm is unfolding in Kampala after the wife of former Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, called for her husband to be treated at Mulago National Referral Hospital while in detention, as the Uganda Law Society (ULS) intensified pressure on the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to drop all charges against him.
Speaking emotionally during the 20th Radical News Bar (RNB) Live Weekly press engagement at ULS headquarters on Thursday, Zawedde Lukwago Nalubwama, who is also a partner at Zawedde, Lubwama & Co. Advocates, said her husband’s health condition requires specialised care and constant access to his personal doctor—something she argued is not adequately possible in detention facilities.
She proposed that instead of being held in a standard prison environment, Lukwago should be detained under security at Mulago Hospital, where he could continue receiving medical attention.
“Even if it is secured by security officers, he can still access his personal doctor. He knows everything about his condition and treatment,” she said, adding that some medical professionals already consult him on prescriptions.
She expressed concern over what she described as worsening emotional and psychological strain on the family, noting that Lukwago’s detention had deeply affected their children and relatives.
“The situation is breaking not only me, but the children and our extended family,” she said. “But we are counselling them to remain strong as we hope he will be granted bail soon.”
Nalubwama further argued that prison conditions limit access to timely medical care, family interaction, and personal freedoms necessary for recovery, insisting that Lukwago should instead be allowed treatment while his legal case proceeds.
Her remarks come after Journalist Canary Mugume on his X (formerly twitter) recalled interviewing Lukwago on NBS Television’s Face Off programme several months ago and described a man already battling serious health difficulties.
The remarks have renewed public discussion about Lukwago’s medical condition, particularly given his previous trips abroad for specialized treatment and recurring concerns about his health during recent public appearances.
Lukwago’s heatlh condition and ongoing criminal proceedings, have triggered strong reactions from Uganda’s legal fraternity.
ULS Demands Immediate Withdrawal of Charges
In a parallel development, the Uganda Law Society (ULS) has issued a forceful demand to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions calling for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of charges against Lukwago, an advocate and former Lord Mayor.
ULS Vice President Anthony Asiimwe said the prosecution of Lukwago represents what the legal fraternity views as a broader attack on the rule of law and the independence of the legal profession.
“An attack on one advocate is an attack on the entire bar,” Asiimwe said. “The profession demands the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all charges against Advocate Erias Lukwago.”
The ULS also called for full disclosure regarding Lukwago’s treatment while in detention, insisting that transparency is necessary to safeguard constitutional rights.
Asiimwe further accused prosecutorial authorities of abusing their discretion, warning that the criminal justice system risks becoming what he termed a “police-to-prison pipeline for dissenters.”
He revealed that the Law Society had previously written to the DPP raising concerns about alleged misuse of prosecutorial powers but had not received a response.
Frustrated by what he described as silence from the authorities, Asiimwe announced that the legal body would escalate its protest actions.
“We are marching to the DPP’s office to picket and demand an explanation,” he said. “The time for talking is over. We are beginning action now.”
He added that members of the legal fraternity would continue picketing until the charges are withdrawn, stating that lawyers would not remain passive in the face of what they consider injustice.
Rising Legal Tensions and Public Protest
The ULS position signals a dramatic escalation in the dispute, with the legal body openly mobilizing members to physically demonstrate at the DPP’s offices.
Asiimwe said the society had formally communicated its concerns in writing but had received no official response, prompting the decision to take direct action.
He warned that failure to act could lead to further arbitrary arrests, stating that silence from authorities would embolden abuse of state power.
“The office is enabling this kind of criminality, and we cannot stand it,” he said. “We shall not allow it.”
The announcement has heightened anticipation over possible confrontations between legal professionals and state authorities as the situation develops.
Academic Voices Raise Rule of Law Concerns
Adding an academic perspective, Dr. Patricia Atim, Lecturer at Makerere University School of Law said the ongoing controversy reflects deeper concerns about governance, legal compliance, and the rule of law in Uganda.
She stressed that the country has invested significant public resources in adopting both national and international legal frameworks, which must now be respected and implemented.
“We have spent a lot of taxpayers’ money adopting laws and ratifying international agreements,” she said. “If we do not implement them, then that money is wasted.”
Dr. Atim urged national leaders to ensure that governance decisions are guided by constitutional principles and respect for legal institutions.
She also highlighted the importance of civic engagement and advocacy, praising women leaders and legal activists who have continued to speak out on justice and governance issues despite personal risks and pressure.
“These women have continued to raise their voices for democracy, justice, and the rule of law, even when it is difficult,” she said.
Dr. Atim used the platform to call for calm and national reflection, urging leaders to engage citizens more openly on matters of justice and governance.
Lukwago’s Legal Battle Continues
Lukwago’s legal troubles have placed him at the centre of a wider national debate on justice, human rights, and political expression.
He is currently facing charges linked to treason allegations, which his legal team continues to challenge in court. He remains on remand as his bail application is being considered by the Makindye Chief Magistrates Court, which adjourned proceedings for further review.
Supporters say his continued detention raises serious concerns about access to fair trial rights and adequate medical care.
As the Uganda Law Society prepares for direct action and his family calls for medical intervention at Mulago Hospital, the case has evolved beyond a courtroom matter into a broader national conversation on the balance between law enforcement, political rights, and human dignity.
For now, all eyes remain on the courts and the Director of Public Prosecutions as pressure mounts from both legal professionals and the public for a swift resolution to the high-profile case.
