Brigadier General Robert Freeman Mugabe, Chairman of the General Court Martial in
Makindye, Kampala, has convicted Olivia Lutaaya and 15 other National Unity Platform
(NUP) supporters on charges of treachery and unlawful possession of 13 explosive
devices.
Those convicted include Olivia Lutaaya, Rashid Ssegujja, Robert Rugumayo, Muhymdin
Kakooza, Abdul Matovu, Simon Kijjambu, Mesearch Kiwanuka, Ibrahim Wandera,
Asbert Nagwere, Steven Musakulu, Sharif Matovu, Devis Mafabi, Livingston Katushabe,
Swaibu Katabi, Stanley Lwanga, Siraje Obalayi, Joseph Muganzi, and Paul Muwanguzi.
The group had consistently maintained their innocence since their arrest.
- However, they recently reversed their plea to “guilty,” with reports suggesting this
decision may have been influenced by promises of a more lenient sentence.
Following their guilty plea, the court convicted them on both charges. Sentencing is
scheduled for Wednesday, October 23rd . The prolonged detention and trial have
attracted significant attention from human rights advocates and opposition figures,
raising concerns about political persecution and the use of military courts to try civilians.
The suspects were arrested between November 2020 and May 2021 and initially
charged with unlawful possession of explosive devices. Later, the charge of treachery
was added. Their legal team applied for bail, but the court deemed their sureties
unsubstantial.
On October 14th , two more individuals pleaded guilty, adding to the 14 from the same file
who had already entered guilty pleas. The group, while being escorted out of court,
knelt and appealed for a presidential pardon.
Muhymdin Kakooza, previously sentenced to eight months in prison for attempting to
attack Brigadier General Mugabe in April 2024 after the group was denied bail for the third time, expressed remorse, saying, “We express our sincerest apologies for our
actions.”
Kakoza also claimed they had been manipulated by Robert Kyagulanyi, who used them
for financial gain, but insisted their plea was not coerced. Meanwhile, NUP leader
Robert Kyagulanyi accused Youth Minister Balaam Barugahare of pressuring his
supporters into pleading guilty and seeking President Museveni’s pardon.
Youth Minister Balaam Barugahare thanked the prisoners and appealed to both the
court and President Museveni to grant them clemency.
Despite the group’s guilty plea, some reports suggest that prolonged detention and
promises of leniency may have influenced their decision, sparking debates over the
fairness and integrity of the legal proceedings.
