In a new twist, sixteen National Unity Platform (NUP) party supporters reversed their plea on Monday, October 14, 2024, from “not guilty” to “guilty” after spending four years on remand.
They are charged with unlawful possession of 13 pieces of explosive devices and treachery,
The group changed their plea as they appeared in a closed military court session chaired by Brig Gen Freeman Mugabe at the Makindye-based General Court Martial.
They include Rashid Ssegujja, Robert Rugumayo, Muhymdin Kakooza, Simon Kijjambu, Abdul Matovu, Olivia Lutaaya, Mesearch Kiwanuka, Ibrahim Wandera, Asbert Nagwere, Steven Musakulu, Sharif Matovu, Devis Mafabi, Livingston Katushabe Kigozi, Swaibu Katabi, and Stanley Lwanga.
Before their guilty plea on Monday, the group had on several court appearances pleaded not guilty despite being arrested with incriminating evidence.
The prosecution alleges that between November 2020 and May 12, 2021, in diverse areas of Jinja, Mbale, Kireka, Nakulabye, Kawempe, Nateete, and Kampala Central, the accused were in possession of 13 pieces of explosive devices, which are ordinarily a monopoly of the defense forces.
However, according to the 16, they were advised by their party never to plead guilty to any charges. “We were promised a monthly stipend, and the party (NUP) promised to take care of our families while we were in prison,” they said.
The NUP embarked on pushing a narrative that their supporters who were arrested did not commit any offense; they were mere political prisoners being persecuted for their political differences with the ruling government.
The narrative was picked by the party’s international funders and backers, who in turn pushed for sanctions against the government of Uganda and increased funding for NUP to take care of the families of the alleged political prisoners.
According to Mathias Mpuuga, the former Leader of Opposition in Parliament who is also a member of NUP, the party wanted the alleged political prisoners to remain locked up as long as possible, and all his efforts to secure their release were frustrated by Bobi Wine and other party leaders.
The fallout
The alleged political prisoners kept their end of the bargain, and they were willing to stay in prison as long as they could since they were receiving a hefty pay monthly and their families were well taken care of.
However, things began to fall apart when the party went into a financial crisis following the prosecution of their key funder, US Senator Bob Menendez, who was found guilty of bribery in July 2024. This hampered the party’s ability to pay the monthly stipends to the prisoners, let alone take care of their families.
After realizing that they were left to fend for themselves, the alleged political prisoners were left with no choice but to spill the beans and save themselves.
“Unfortunately, we were deceived by Bobi Wine (alias Robert Kyagulanyi), who used us for personal financial benefit. We accept responsibility for our choices and affirm that our guilty pleas were made voluntarily without coercion. We pledge to learn from this experience and avoid similar situations moving forward,” Kakooza said on behalf of the group while appearing before the court martial on Monday.
The group was remanded until October 21, when they will return to court for sentencing.