Former Kira Municipality MP and PFF Secretary General, Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda has launched a scathing attack on Uganda’s judiciary following the denial of bail to opposition lawyer and former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.
Speaking after the court ruling on Tuesday , Ssemujju alleged that the decision was politically motivated and appeared to follow public remarks by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who had previously suggested that Lukwago could face up to 10 years in prison.
According to Ssemujju, Lukwago’s continued detention is part of a broader effort to weaken the legal defense team of opposition veteran Dr. Kizza Besigye, who is facing treason-related charges. He also referenced the deportation of Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua, arguing that the developments point to a coordinated attempt to limit opposition legal representation.
On June 23, 2026, Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera denied Lukwago bail despite arguments from his legal team regarding his health condition, permanent residence, and willingness to comply with court requirements. The court cited the seriousness of the charges in its ruling, resulting in Lukwago’s continued remand at Luzira Prison.
Lukwago is charged with misprision of treason in connection with alleged activities linked to plots said to have occurred between 2021 and 2024 involving Dr. Besigye.
Ssemujju further claimed that the government is using the courts to achieve what it failed to secure through constitutional amendments on bail. He accused authorities of relying on what he called “aligned judicial officers” to keep opposition figures behind bars, warning that the trend raises serious concerns about judicial independence and the rule of law in Uganda.
The remarks are likely to fuel an already heated debate over the role of the judiciary, political freedoms, and the handling of high-profile opposition cases ahead of the country’s next political cycle.
