(Kampala) – Sixteen supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) have been sentenced to three months and 22 days in prison after being convicted by the General Court Martial on charges of treachery and unlawful possession of explosive devices. The group, including prominent members like Olivia Lutaaya and Rashid Segujja, had pleaded guilty to the charges last week, a decision that has sparked mixed reactions from the public.
The General Court Martial, chaired by Brigadier General Freeman Mugabe, delivered the sentence, emphasizing that the convicts did not waste the court’s time by pleading guilty. Mugabe acknowledged that while treachery is a serious charge, which could have attracted the death penalty, the court took into account the fact that the convicts had no prior criminal records and had families depending on them. He also noted that they had already spent significant time in remand, which was deducted from their sentence.
“After considering the time spent in remand, this court sentences each of you to three months and 22 days in prison for the charge of treachery. For the unlawful possession of explosive devices, you are sentenced to caution,” Mugabe ruled.
The convicts were represented in court by Captain Simon Nsubuga Busagwa, with additional legal support from NUP lawyers Benjamin Katana and George Musisi. Despite the seriousness of the charges, the group was handed a relatively lenient sentence, partly due to their guilty plea. This plea, however, has caused controversy, with some people arguing that the decision to plead guilty, whether the accused committed the crimes or not, was a pragmatic choice after spending over four years on remand. Others believe the plea could have far-reaching implications for both the individuals and the NUP.
The charges stemmed from incidents between November 2020 and May 2021, during which the group was found in possession of 13 explosive devices, an offense typically reserved for the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF). The group was arrested in November 2020 in Kalangala, while accompanying NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, on his presidential campaign trail. Initially charged with unlawful possession of explosives, they later faced an additional charge of treachery in May 2021.
In the courtroom, it was noted that a general legal principle allows for a reduction in the sentence for offenders who plead guilty. However, the extent of this reduction is at the discretion of the court. Mugabe reiterated that the group’s families and lack of a criminal history were considered in their sentencing.
For those 13 supporters who did not plead guilty, the case has been adjourned to December 12 for further hearings. Nine witnesses have so far testified in the ongoing case.
Outside the courtroom, reactions to the sentencing have been mixed. Some people expressed relief that the convicts would soon be released after a long period in remand. However, others, including NUP supporters, see the plea as a potential blow to the opposition’s cause. NUP President Bobi Wine voiced his concern over the situation, accusing the government of coercing his supporters into pleading guilty as part of a broader attempt to weaken the opposition.
Meanwhile, youth state minister Balaam Barugahara, who has supported the NUP supporters since their arrest, expressed hope that a presidential pardon could still be granted. Barugahara had previously promised to lobby for their release, citing their youth and the importance of rehabilitation.
