Kampala Lord Mayor Lukwago Rushed To India For Spinal Surgery

Kampala’s Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, a prominent figure in Ugandan politics, has been rushed to India for spinal surgery. Lukwago, also serving as the interim leader of a faction within the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), has been battling C6-7 cervical discopathy for the past two months.

Despite initial attempts at managing his condition with pain medication and physiotherapy, Lukwago’s symptoms persisted, prompting Dr. Norbert Orwotho to recommend surgical intervention. However, due to the specialized nature of the procedure required, which involves anterior cervical decompression and spinal fusion, Uganda’s medical facilities lacked the necessary resources.

Consequently, the Uganda Medical Board sanctioned Lukwago’s travel to New Delhi, India, where he will undergo the intricate anterior cervical discectomy and fusion procedure. This surgery aims to alleviate pressure on Lukwago’s spinal cord and nerve roots by removing the inflamed disc and replacing it with a bone graft, secured with a metal plate.

This isn’t the first time Lukwago has faced medical emergencies requiring treatment abroad.

In both 2020 and 2021, he was rushed to Nairobi after experiencing severe allergic reactions, sparking rumors of poisoning at the time.