The General Court Martial has sentenced 16 supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) political party to three months and 22 days over treachery and unlawful possession of ammunition.
The group including Olivia Lutayya and Muhydin Kakooza pleaded guilty to charges of possessing explosive devices and treachery, seeking leniency from the court.
Presided over by Brig Gen Freeman Mugabe, the court took into account the defendants’ time on remand of three years and eight months along with 16 months attending trial, their guilty plea, and their roles as sole breadwinners for their young families.
“This court hereby sentences each of you as follows; each of you is sentenced to three months, 22 days of imprisonment on counts to which each of you is sentenced to accusation. You have a right of appeal within 14 days if you are not satisfied with the decision,” Mugabe ruled.
The group was initially arrested in December 2020, during the presidential campaigns. They were charged with possessing 13 explosive devices, which is considered a monopoly of the defense forces. Later, an additional charge of treachery was added to their case.
Prosecutors alleged that the group possessed explosive devices in various locations, including Jinja, Mbale, and Kampala, between November 2020 and May 12, 2021.
Despite pleading guilty, the accused expressed dissatisfaction with the sentence, believing they would be released after spending over three years on remand. They plan to appeal the sentence and seek a presidential pardon.
This case has reignited concerns about the treatment of opposition supporters and the use of military courts to try civilians. NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi, commonly known as Bobi Wine, has accused the military of coercing his party members into pleading guilty.
