Kawempe North MP Elias Nalukoola has called on the Ugandan government to immediately release Ssalongo Erias Lukwago on bail to seek specialised medical treatment after his health reportedly deteriorated, leaving him in critical condition at Mulago National Referral Hospital.
Nalukoola expressed concern over Lukwago's condition, saying the detained lawyer and political figure had endured months of pain while appearing in court and seeking access to medical care for multiple chronic illnesses.
In a statement, the legislator said Lukwago's condition required urgent attention and urged authorities to prioritise his health and respect his fundamental rights.
“It is with a heavy heart, deep concern, and profound indignation that I address the rapidly deteriorating health of my brother, colleague, and senior counsel, Ssalongo Erias Lukwago,” Nalukoola said.
He added that learning Lukwago had been rushed to Mulago Hospital in critical condition was a painful development that should not be taken lightly.
According to Nalukoola, Lukwago has been struggling with spinal and respiratory complications that require specialised medical intervention beyond what he can access while in detention.
The MP claimed that medical specialists had previously indicated the need for urgent treatment but that Lukwago remained confined in prison despite his deteriorating condition.
Nalukoola questioned whether political considerations had overshadowed the need to protect the lives and dignity of detainees, warning against waiting until a prisoner's condition becomes irreversible before taking action.
“Must a person first perish in custody before their right to specialised healthcare is recognised?” he asked.
The legislator also cited previous cases in which concerns about the health of detained individuals were allegedly ignored until their conditions worsened, saying he did not want a similar situation to unfold.
He urged the state to heed the recommendations of senior medical consultants and grant Lukwago immediate bail to enable him to obtain the treatment he requires.
“Detention should never be a disguised death sentence,” Nalukoola said.
He also extended his sympathies to Lukwago's wife and children, while calling on Ugandans to continue supporting the detained lawyer as he battles his health complications.
Nalukoola's appeal places renewed focus on the medical welfare of detainees and the balance between the enforcement of the law and access to essential healthcare.
However, the legislator's claims regarding Lukwago's medical needs and the circumstances surrounding his detention were not independently verified in the statement.