By Kato Jamil
The General Court Martial in Makindye, Kampala, has issued a sentence to 16 supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP), imposing a prison term of three months and 22 days for their involvement in attempts to overthrow the Ugandan government.
Last week, the NUP supporters, who have already spent nearly four years in custody, indicated a willingness to plead guilty to charges including treachery and unlawful possession of explosives, claiming they had been misled into their actions.
Brig. Gen. Freeman Mugabe presided over the court, which acknowledged the substantial time already served by the convicts. Although the maximum penalty for treachery could have been death, the court chose to impose a lesser sentence, factoring in the over three years and four months they spent in remand without trial, as well as an additional 16 months for their legal defense.
The convicts were also cautioned regarding the second charge of unlawful possession of explosives, a conviction that carries a maximum sentence of ten years. The court noted their expressions of remorse and other mitigating circumstances, which contributed to the reduced sentence.
The offenses in question occurred between November 2020 and May 2021, with arrests taking place across several locations, including Jinja, Mbale, Kireka, and Kampala Central. The group was found in possession of 13 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), equipment that is typically restricted to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). They also admitted to recruiting and training others for the purpose of regime change.
In court, the defendants expressed regret for their actions, claiming they had been misled and appealed for clemency from President Yoweri Museveni. The court acknowledged their remorse and familial responsibilities but reiterated the severity of their crimes while opting for a sentence that recognized the time they had already served.
However, the lead defendant, Muhydin Kakooza, and others expressed disappointment with the ruling, expecting a release given their guilty pleas and lengthy remand period. Their legal team has announced plans to file an appeal within the designated 14-day timeframe.
The convicts include notable figures such as Olivia Lutaaya and Rashid Ssegujja, among others. As the proceedings wrap up, the case remains a focal point of national discourse, with NUP supporters and civil rights organizations blaming the gov’t for violating rights of many innocent Ugandans.
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