News
9 NUP supporters released after six years in detention
“After close to six years under detention without trial, our nine supporters, including Yasin Ssekitoleko alias Yasin Machete, Patrick Mwase, Sharif Kalanzi, Joseph Muwonge, Abdallah Kintu, Umar Emma Kato, Kavuma Musa, Jimmy Galukande and Gibusiwa Abdallah, have been released."
Nine supporters of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) party, who have been under detention for six years, have been released. (Credit: NUP)
By: Nicholas Kajoba, Journalist @New Vision
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Nine supporters of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) party, who have been under detention for six years, have been released.
“After close to six years under detention without trial, our nine supporters, including Yasin Ssekitoleko alias Yasin Machete, Patrick Mwase, Sharif Kalanzi, Joseph Muwonge, Abdallah Kintu, Umar Emma Kato, Kavuma Musa, Jimmy Galukande and Gibusiwa Abdallah, have been released today,” a statement issued by the Party on Thursday said.
The members were arrested in connection with crackdowns during the 2020-2021 election campaigns.
There was jubilation at the party headquarters in Makerere Kavule as former detained supporters were welcomed by Party Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya.
The members were arrested in connection with crackdowns during the 2020-2021 election campaigns.
There was jubilation at the party headquarters in Makerere Kavule as former detained supporters were welcomed by Party Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya.
Rubongoya condemned the extreme abuse of the criminal justice system, saying, “We are very glad that these comrades can have some taste of freedom at long last.”
Rubongoya said the party supporters were weighed down by the long period of detention and accepted to plead guilty to crimes they did not commit.
“The regime changed strategy and compelled our supporters to apply for amnesty. So, the military court this morning sent them to the Amnesty Commission from where they were given Amnesty Certificates and released,” he said.
Rubongoya said the party supporters were weighed down by the long period of detention and accepted to plead guilty to crimes they did not commit.
“The regime changed strategy and compelled our supporters to apply for amnesty. So, the military court this morning sent them to the Amnesty Commission from where they were given Amnesty Certificates and released,” he said.