Lukwago’s hospitalisation comes amid continued concerns about the health of detained opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, whose treason trial he had been handling before his own arrest.
Lukwago’s family said on Monday, October 19, that his condition was critical following his transfer to the hospital. The nature of his illness and the treatment he is receiving had not been officially disclosed by press time.
The Uganda Prisons Service had not publicly commented on the development, while efforts to obtain a response from its spokesperson, Frank Baine, were unsuccessful.
Lukwago’s hospitalisation comes amid continued concerns about the health of detained opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, whose treason trial he had been handling before his own arrest.
Besigye collapsed during his trial in July and was taken to Mulago for emergency treatment. He was discharged on August 7 and returned to Luzira Prison, despite objections from his wife, Winnie Byanyima, who said he remained too weak to walk, speak or care for himself.
His discharge triggered a dispute between the family and authorities over whether he was medically fit to leave hospital. Byanyima has since continued to raise concerns about his condition and access to appropriate medical care.
Besigye has not participated in subsequent court proceedings, with the High Court allowing his trial to continue in his absence.
Lukwago’s health concerns
Lukwago was arrested on June 15, 2026, after armed security personnel reportedly raided his home in Wakaliga, Kampala. His whereabouts remained unknown for more than two days before he was produced in court on June 17 and charged with misprision of treason.
The prosecution alleges that Lukwago knew about an alleged plot involving Besigye and other opposition figures but failed to report it to the authorities. He has denied the charge.
His arrest came as he was representing Besigye in the treason case, complicating the detained opposition leader’s efforts to proceed with lawyers of his choice.
Lukwago has also been battling health complications while in custody and has repeatedly cited his medical needs in applications for bail.
On June 25, he was transferred from Murchison Bay Prison in Luzira to Mulago National Referral Hospital following a court directive requiring prison authorities to facilitate specialised medical assessment and treatment.
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His lawyers subsequently reported that he was experiencing severe pain, particularly around the area where he had previously undergone spinal surgery in India, and remained physically weak as doctors conducted investigations.
In a fresh bail application reported on Monday, Lukwago argued that he had spent more than 60 days on remand without trial and required specialised treatment that prison medical facilities could not adequately provide.
He cited the need for a post-operative review of his cervical spine surgery, alongside assessment and treatment for other medical conditions. He asked the High Court to consider his health, fixed residence and proposed sureties when deciding whether to release him.
The latest reported transfer to Mulago has renewed questions about his health and the adequacy of medical care available to him in custody. However, prison authorities had not publicly explained the circumstances surrounding his latest hospitalisation by press time.