Lawyers, family members, and supporters of former Kampala Lord Mayor Ssalongo Erias Lukwago are anxiously glued to their phones awaiting a ruling on his bail application, which the Makindye Chief Magistrate, Sarah Basemera, is expected to deliver electronically within 24 hours.
Lukwago has been further remanded to Luzira Prison as he awaits court that will be communicated through the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS).
His defence team, led by Medard Lubega Sseggona, raised concerns about his deteriorating health, citing a worsening spinal condition and increased risk of infections such as tuberculosis.
Sseggona attributed the delay in delivering the ruling to the sensitivity of the case and security concerns, noting that the magistrate avoided reconvening court to prevent large crowds.
Tension has meanwhile escalated following the deportation of a group of Kenyan lawyers who had travelled to Uganda to represent Lukwago.
The delegation, led by prominent lawyer Martha Karua, was denied entry at Entebbe International Airport and ordered to return to Kenya.
Only Charles Kanjama, President of the Law Society of Kenya, was allowed into the country.
Uganda Law Society lawyers condemned the action by security operatives to deport Karua.
Through their Deputy President Anthony Asiimwe describing the action as intimidation and a threat to the rule of law in the region.
Lukwago was last week charged and remanded to Luzira Prison on charges of misprision of treason.
Report by: Betty Zziwa
