KAMPALA – The Chief Magistrate’s Court at Makindye has committed former Kampala Lord Mayor and People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) leader, Erias Lukwago, to the High Court to stand trial on charges of misprision of treason.
The decision was made on Wednesday after the prosecution informed the court that investigations had been concluded and that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had sanctioned the case for trial before the High Court.
According to the prosecution, Lukwago is accused of allegedly failing to report information relating to an alleged plot to overthrow the Government by force.
Court documents indicate that the State alleges Lukwago, in his capacity as a senior PFF leader, was aware that former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Dr. Kizza Besigye and his aide Haji Obeid Lutale travelled to Nairobi, Kenya, where they allegedly attended meetings in which plans to destabilize the Ugandan government were discussed.
The prosecution further alleges that Lukwago had knowledge of an alleged plan to assassinate President Yoweri Museveni using a helicopter but did not report the information to the relevant authorities.
The State also claims that Lukwago knew about the alleged facilitation of 32 recruits who reportedly travelled to Nairobi for military training, as well as other meetings held outside Uganda where discussions on the alleged use of armed force to overthrow the government were said to have taken place.
Prosecutors contend that Lukwago, together with Dr. Besigye, Haji Lutale and others, acted with a common intention in relation to offences connected to treason.
During the High Court trial, the prosecution says it intends to rely on several pieces of evidence, including alleged voice recordings obtained by state agents, immigration records and travel documents, which it says will demonstrate the movement and communication of individuals linked to the alleged plot.
With the case now committed to the High Court, Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera no longer has jurisdiction over the matter.
Lukwago will remain on remand pending his appearance before the High Court, where he will face trial on the indictment.
The charges arise from the wider investigations involving Dr. Besigye and Haji Lutale, who are separately facing treason-related charges. Their case is scheduled to be heard by the High Court on 29th July 2026.
Lukwago, who is also an advocate and former Kampala Central Member of Parliament, has denied all the allegations and is expected to defend himself during the High Court proceedings.
