NUP Supporters Kneel for Forgiveness at Court Martial
(Kampala) – 16 supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party have thrown in the towel and switched their plea from “not guilty” to “guilty” in a case involving possession of explosives. This drama unfolded at the General Court Martial in Makindye, chaired by Brigadier General Freeman Mugabe.
After four long years of legal wrangling and more remands than a village dispute over a stolen goat, the group of opposition figures finally seemed to have had enough. Like a jilted lover finally giving up on a bad relationship, the accused decided to switch teams, ditching the defiance that had sustained them for years. On their way out of court, they knelt down, appealing to the one man who could save them—President Museveni.
A Plea Deal or Pressure?
No Ugandan courtroom drama would be complete without a subplot. Bobi Wine, the NUP leader who has been at the center of the opposition storm, accused youth minister Balaam Barugahara of squeezing his supporters into pleading guilty. According to Bobi, Barugahara’s tactics were as slick as a Kampala boda boda rider avoiding traffic – “plead guilty and ask Museveni for forgiveness, or rot in prison,” was the alleged deal. Whether this was pressure or the accused seeing the futility of their situation, only time (and a few court sessions) will tell.
For now, nine of the accused remain defiant, holding on to their “not guilty” plea like a child clinging to the last chapati in a communal meal.
The list of those who switched sides reads like the roster of a local football team that suddenly decided to join the opponent’s fanbase:
| Name | Status |
|---|---|
| Rashid Ssegujja | Pleaded guilty |
| Robert Rugumayo | Pleaded guilty |
| Muhymdin Kakooza | Pleaded guilty |
| Simon Kijjambu | Pleaded guilty |
| Abdul Matovu | Pleaded guilty |
| Olivia Lutaaya | Pleaded guilty |
| Mesearch Kiwanuka | Pleaded guilty |
| Ibrahim Wandera | Pleaded guilty |
| Asbert Nagwere | Pleaded guilty |
| Steven Musakulu | Pleaded guilty |
| Sharif Matovu | Pleaded guilty |
| Devis Mafabi | Pleaded guilty |
| Livingston Katushabe Kigozi | Pleaded guilty |
| Swaibu Katabi | Pleaded guilty |
| Stanley Lwanga | Pleaded guilty |
Meanwhile, the “not guilty” corner still has its faithful defenders, a bit like a small political rally in a remote village, standing strong against the odds.
Kakooza, who wore a yellow t-shirt emblazoned with President Museveni’s face, was the star of the day. If there was ever a Ugandan Oscar for courtroom drama, he’d be the front runner. In a display of remorse that could rival any performance at the National Theatre, he apologized profusely for his role in the whole saga.
In a moment of clarity (or perhaps coercion, depending on whom you ask), he claimed, “We were deceived by Bobi Wine. He used us for personal gain.” It was a twist straight out of a Ugandan drama series.
Kakooza’s previous claim to fame came in April 2024 when he attempted to charge at Brigadier General Mugabe in court after being denied bail. Like a bull at a cattle auction, Kakooza’s temper had boiled over, landing him an additional 8 months in the slammer.
Bobi Wine’s Counter
On the other side of this saga, Bobi Wine didn’t sit quietly. Like a man on a mission, he took to social media, pointing fingers and calling out the government for what he called the “coercion” of his comrades. He even took a swipe at the regime for blocking his visits while allowing government operatives unrestricted access.
His words were sharp: “These comrades have been forced to plead guilty to crimes they did not commit.” It’s the sort of defiant rhetoric that has made Bobi a thorn in the side of Uganda’s political establishment, and it continued with his salute to the nine holdouts who refuse to bow.
The courtroom drama isn’t over yet. The accused will return on October 21, 2024, for sentencing, where their fate will be decided.
