The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party has condemned the judiciary after the bail hearing for its Executive Chairman, Counsel Erias Lukwago, was halted on Friday, October 16th, 2026, because Justice David Matovu failed to appear in court.
According to the party, Justice Matovu cited the need to attend to his ill mother as the reason for his absence, leading to an adjournment without a new hearing date being set.
Addressing journalists shortly after the aborted court session, PFF’s Interim Executive Chairman, Bayiga Lulume, said that while the party respects the importance of family health, the development exposes double standards and cruelty within the justice system.
“While family health is a human priority, it is deeply ironic and cruel that the judiciary grants a judge leave for a relative’s health, yet refuses to acknowledge the critical health condition of a man who has been unjustly detained for four months,” Lulume said.
PFF party revealed that Lukwago’s health has continued to deteriorate severely while in detention, with medical doctors repeatedly advising that he urgently requires specialized medical attention outside the prison facility to save his life.
Lulume noted that by adjourning the bail application without fixing a new date, the court has left Lukwago’s fate hanging and is effectively endangering his life.
“By adjourning without setting a new date, the court is effectively signing a death warrant and turning the judiciary into an instrument for political persecution,” he stated.
The PFF interim boss argued that Lukwago, as a senior lawyer, has always respected and upheld the rule of law, and has never absconded from court processes. He said the current handling of his case has moved beyond legal technicalities to a question of the right to life.
“This is no longer just about legal technicalities but about a human life. Counsel Lukwago has dedicated his entire professional life to defending the rule of law and constitutionalism. To see the same system he has served now turn against him in his hour of greatest need is painful,” Lulume added.
The party is now demanding the unconditional release of its leader to enable him to access what it described as much-needed life-saving medical attention. However, by press time, the court had not said when it would reschedule the bail hearing.
