By Nasser Kayanja
The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Makindye has committed former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago to the High Court for trial on a charge of misprision of treason after the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) informed the court that investigations had been completed.
The decision followed the prosecution’s submission that it had concluded its inquiries and was ready to proceed with the case before the High Court.
According to the committal papers, the prosecution alleges that Lukwago, described as a leader of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), was aware that Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajj Obeid Lutale had travelled to Nairobi, Kenya, to attend a secret meeting where plans to assassinate the President of Uganda using a helicopter were allegedly discussed. The prosecution further claims that Lukwago failed to report the alleged plot to the relevant authorities.
The state also alleges that Lukwago knew about and facilitated the travel of 32 recruits to Nairobi for alleged military training. Additionally, prosecutors claim he was aware of meetings held outside Uganda, allegedly attended by Dr. Besigye, during which plans to overthrow the Ugandan government through the use of firearms were discussed.
The prosecution contends that Lukwago, Dr. Besigye, Hajj Lutale and others acted with a common intention in relation to offences connected to treason.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has indicated that the prosecution intends to rely on voice recordings allegedly obtained by state agents who attended the meetings, as well as immigration records relating to the accused persons’ overseas travel, during the High Court trial.
Following the committal, Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera ruled that her court no longer had jurisdiction over the matter. Lukwago was remanded and will remain in custody until he is produced before the High Court for trial.
Meanwhile, the High Court has already scheduled the treason trial of Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajj Obeid Lutale to commence on July 29.
Note: The allegations contained in the prosecution’s committal papers have not been tested in court, and the accused persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.