Former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has raised a desperate appeal over his deteriorating health, telling court that he fears his life could be at risk if he is not allowed to access specialised medical treatment recommended by doctors.
Appearing before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court through a video link from Luzira Prison, Lukwago described his current situation as extremely dangerous, saying his medical condition requires urgent attention outside the country.
The veteran lawyer told court that specialists at Mulago National Referral Hospital identified five serious health conditions affecting him and recommended further treatment, including a spinal review in India where he previously underwent surgery.
Lukwago said he should be receiving specialised medical care rather than remaining in prison, arguing that his continued detention without access to the recommended treatment could worsen his condition.
“This is a death sentence for me. All I can say to Allah is to kindly take me without a lot of pain,” Lukwago told court as he expressed fears over his health.
He added that if his condition continued to deteriorate, he hoped he would at least receive care that would reduce his suffering, saying he did not want to go through unnecessary pain.
The former city mayor explained that his medical assessment was carried out during a week-long admission at Mulago Hospital after his bail application was rejected by court.
According to Lukwago, the examination involved a team of senior specialists appointed by Mulago Hospital Executive Director Dr Rosemary Byanyima to assess his condition and provide recommendations.
The medical team reportedly included spine surgeon Dr Norbert Owoth, cardiologist Michael Mungoma, neurologist Steven Matovu, neurosurgeon Joel Kiryabwire, and spine specialist Dr Edward Kironde.
Lukwago told court that doctors diagnosed him with chronic lung damage, spinal complications, hearing problems, a digestive disorder, and hypertension, conditions he said require continuous medical management.
On his lung condition, Lukwago said doctors found that he suffers from permanent lung damage that affects his ability to breathe properly, especially in areas with limited oxygen.
He explained that the condition requires him to stay in a well-ventilated environment to reduce breathing difficulties and prevent further complications.
Regarding his spinal problems, Lukwago said doctors advised him to return to India for review by the surgeons who performed his cervical disc replacement surgery in 2024.
He told court that specialists at Mulago were unable to conduct some investigations because they were uncertain about the compatibility of the implants used during his previous surgery.
“I should be in India now,” Lukwago said, insisting that his condition requires assessment by the original medical team that handled his spinal operation.
The opposition figure also revealed that he suffers from Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, a hearing-related condition that has affected his ability to hear properly.
He claimed that doctors had previously provided him with a specialised hearing device from the United Kingdom but alleged that prison authorities had prevented him from using it after his arrest.
Lukwago said the device was designed specifically for his condition and that denying him access to it had made his situation more difficult.
He further told court that he suffers from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and a hiatus hernia, conditions he said require a specialised diet and possible surgery.
According to Lukwago, managing these conditions while in prison has been challenging because he cannot access the recommended food and medical arrangements needed to control the illness.
He also said he has been managing hypertension for about ten years and that the combination of his various health problems has placed additional pressure on his overall wellbeing.
Lukwago is currently facing a charge of misprision of treason before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court, with prosecutors alleging that he failed to report information relating to an alleged treason plot involving his clients Dr Kizza Besigye and Hajj Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya.
He has denied the allegations, maintaining his innocence as he continues fighting both the legal case and his reported health challenges while in custody.
His arrest came in June shortly before he was scheduled to serve court documents on Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba in a separate human rights case filed by Besigye and Lutale.
After his bail application was rejected, court directed that Lukwago be taken to Mulago Hospital for specialised medical assessment before he was later returned to Luzira Prison.
The case has since attracted public attention, with supporters and human rights activists raising concerns about his health and calling for authorities to consider his medical needs as the legal proceedings continue.
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