Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, also the interim leader of a breakaway faction within the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), has traveled to New Delhi, India, for spinal surgery.

Lukwago was diagnosed with C6-7 cervical discopathy two months ago. While initial treatment with pain medication, neuropathy drugs, and physiotherapy offered some relief, it wasn’t enough. Dr. Norbert Orwotho ultimately recommended surgery (anterior cervical decompression and spinal fusion) to address his severe symptoms.

Due to limited surgical capacity within Uganda for this specific procedure, the Uganda Medical Board approved Lukwago’s travel to India for treatment.

The Lord Mayor will undergo an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion procedure in which the swollen disc will be removed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots.

This will be replaced with a bone graft, fastened with a metal plate to bridge the area.

Previously, Lukwago was rushed to Nairobi twice, in 2020 and 2021 after he suffered a severe allergic reaction.

It was rumored at the time that he had been poisoned.