The family of detained lawyer Erias Lukwago says his health is deteriorating as uncertainty over his bail application deepens, with his brother revealing that their elderly mother is also struggling with his prolonged absence.
The family of detained lawyer Erias Lukwago has expressed frustration after his long-awaited bail hearing failed to proceed on Friday because the presiding judge was absent, prolonging uncertainty over when the lawyer could be considered for release.
Lukwago’s lawyers were reportedly informed by court officials that the judge could not hear the application because he was attending to his ailing mother.
Medard Ssegona, one of Lukwago’s lawyers, told journalists outside court that the legal team had been asked to wait until Monday for communication on a new date for the bail hearing.
Ssegona appealed to the Judiciary to expedite the proceedings, arguing that if the court could not consider the bail application, it should prioritise the commencement of Lukwago’s trial.
Lukwago, a former Kampala Lord Mayor and a lawyer who has been part of the defence team representing veteran opposition politician Kizza Besigye, faces a charge of misprision of treason linked to Besigye’s treason case.
He was not brought to court by prison authorities on Friday.
Outside court, members of his family expressed concern about his deteriorating health, saying he urgently needed medical attention.
His wife, Zawedde Lubwama Lukwago, also questioned the conflicting explanations surrounding the judge’s absence. She said another court official had given a different account, indicating that the judge himself was indisposed rather than attending to his ailing mother.
The uncertainty heightened anxiety among Lukwago’s relatives and a handful of supporters who had gathered at court hoping for progress on the bail application.
Ssegona, however, urged the supporters to abandon plans to stage demonstrations, warning that taking to the streets could expose them to danger.
“The people you want to demonstrate against, first of all, are more powerful than you. Please don’t demonstrate; let’s use lawful means,” Ssegona said.
Brother Breaks Down Over Prolonged Detention
Lukwago’s brother, Abdul Sewankambo, struggled to contain his emotions as he spoke about his brother’s continued detention and the uncertainty surrounding his bail application.
“It is so disheartening that the person who is fond of fighting for the rule of law is now being treated like this in courts of law. At least the judge would be sympathetic to a fellow officer of the court,” Sewankambo said.
He also revealed that their mother’s health had deteriorated since Lukwago’s arrest, leaving her increasingly distressed by his prolonged absence.
According to Sewankambo, Lukwago had been responsible for caring for their mother, a role the family has struggled to take over as the other siblings also advance in age.
“Our mother is here in Kampala, helpless. Lukwago was the one taking care of her since we are now also in our advanced ages of our life. She now speaks disconnected words, and she only thinks Lukwago abandoned her,” he said.
Lukwago has been in detention since June 15, when he was arrested at his home in Wakaliga.
His family is calling for urgent attention to his health and a resolution of the uncertainty surrounding his bail application.