Former Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura has raised concern over the health condition of lawyer Erias Lukwago, saying he is experiencing severe pain while in custody as the court prepares to deliver a bail ruling in his misprision of treason case.
Speaking on Monday, June 22, while attending court proceedings, Nyanjura described Lukwago’s condition as deteriorating, claiming that he was in visible distress and weaker compared to his last appearance in court.
She alleged that a spinal disc previously repaired through surgery had been displaced following what she termed as harsh treatment during detention, an allegation that has not been independently verified.
“The spinal disc that was carefully fixed during the delicate spinal cord surgery was dislocated during the horrific torture he endured in the Muhoozi basement,” she said, using the term to refer to alleged detention facilities.
Nyanjura further stated that Lukwago requires continued physiotherapy, which she argued can only be properly guided through an MRI scan, a diagnostic procedure she said is not accessible in prison conditions.
“To ease pain, he is supposed to undergo physiotherapy sessions that can only be effectively managed after an MRI scan which of course isn’t in prison,” she added.
She expressed emotional distress over Lukwago’s condition, saying he appeared frailer during the latest court session and urging the court to consider granting him bail on humanitarian grounds.
“It breaks my heart seeing counsel Lukwago in so much pain and helpless. Today he is visibly weaker, more frail, and fading much faster than just last Thursday when he was last in court,” she said.
Nyanjura appealed to the magistrate handling the case to consider leniency as she awaits the ruling, noting that his health condition should be factored into the decision.
“I pray the magistrate finds it in her heart to show mercy and grant him bail before it is too late,” she said.
Lukwago remains in custody as court proceedings continue in the high-profile misprision case, which has drawn attention from political and legal circles in Uganda.