KAMPALA, Uganda – Former Kampala Lord Mayor and President of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), Erias Lukwago, has been committed to the High Court for trial on a charge of misprision of treason, marking a significant development in the criminal case against him.
The decision was made at the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Courton Thursday after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) concluded investigations and formally accused the opposition politician.
The committal means the magistrate’s court has completed its role in the case, which will now proceed before the High Court for trial.
During the proceedings, prosecutors informed the court that the DPP had sanctioned the accusation and was ready to proceed with the prosecution before the High Court.
Under Uganda’s criminal justice system, offences such as treason and misprision of treason are tried by the High Court after a magistrate’s court completes committal proceedings.
With the indictment now filed, Lukwago will no longer be tried before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court.
Before the court session, there had been conflicting reports about whether Lukwago was returning to court for a bail review application, a mention, or a ruling on procedural matters.
However, the court proceedings took a different turn after the prosecution announced that the case had been committed to the High Court.
It remains unclear whether the pending bail-related application will now be handled by the High Court following the committal.
Lukwago was arrested earlier this year and is accused of misprision of treason, an offence that generally involves knowingly concealing or failing to report information relating to an alleged act of treason.
The prosecution alleges that Lukwago committed the offence under Uganda’s criminal laws.
Lukwago has consistently denied wrongdoing, and his legal team has challenged aspects of the prosecution’s case during earlier court appearances.
The allegations against him have not yet been tested during a full trial.
Supporters and political allies gathered at the Makindye court premises ahead of Tuesday’s proceedings, with several expressing concern about Lukwago’s health while in custody.
Some opposition leaders have called for his release on bail, arguing that he requires specialised medical treatment.
Those concerns have been raised publicly by his supporters, but the court had not made a determination on the issue during the latest proceedings.
Committal is a legal process through which a magistrate’s court transfers serious criminal cases to the High Court after the prosecution confirms that investigations have been completed and sufficient evidence has been assembled to proceed to trial.
The High Court will now take over the case, where Lukwago will have an opportunity to enter his plea and challenge the prosecution’s evidence during trial.
High Court is expected to fix a date for Lukwago’s first appearance following the committal.
His lawyers may also pursue a fresh bail application before the High Court, depending on the procedural directions issued by the trial judge.
As the case moves to the High Court, Erias Lukwago remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of law.
