NUP welcomes nine pardoned members, seeks freedom for others

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The opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) has welcomed the second batch of nine party members who were charged with treachery and unlawful possession of ammunition following their arrest in the aftermath of the 2021 general elections.

The nine were among a group of 28 NUP supporters arrested and charged with treachery and unlawful possession of ammunition over alleged links to the "Bali-Bali" rebel group after they admitted participating in rebellious activities, which they later renounced.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni granted clemency to the suspects following a settlement with the Government after their case files failed to reach the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for transfer to the civilian courts following the Supreme Court verdict that barred the trial of civilians in the General Court Martial last year.

“In exercise of the power vested in me under Article 121(1)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995 as amended, and on the advice of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, I hereby grant a pardon to the individuals listed below for the offenses of treachery under Section 129(a) of the UPDF Act, Cap 330, and unlawful possession of ammunition under Section 3(1)(2)(a) of the Firearms Act,” Museveni stated before their release.

NUP leaders welcoming Yasin Ssekitoleko aka Machete, Patrick Mwase, Sharif Kalanzi, Musa Kavuma, Jimmy Galukande, Joseph Muwonge, Abdallah Kintu, and Abdukarim Gibusiwa made a parade during a press conference at NUP party headquarters in Makerere-Kavule at a press conference on Monday, August 3, 2026 (Photo by Isaac Nuwagaba)

Uganda's Supreme Court ruled on January 31, 2025, that military courts lack jurisdiction to try civilians, ordering an immediate halt to such trials and the transfer of all ongoing civilian cases to the ordinary court system. However, NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya said this had not been implemented for many of the party's supporters.

“All pending files and active criminal cases involving civilians before military tribunals were ordered to be handed over to the DPP for trial in ordinary courts of law, but this has not been done to many of our supporters,” he insisted.

Addressing a press conference at the NUP headquarters in Makerere-Kavule, Kampala, on Monday, August 3, 2026, Rubongoya said all nine released supporters were on the same case file as more than 100 others who remain in detention in different facilities across the country.

“We are glad that the famous Anthony Agaba aka Bobi Young will be released in September 2026 after coming to accept charges to be granted the prerogative of mercy. We need all political prisoners, including Dr Col (rtd) Kiiza Besigye, Muwanga Kivumbi, Erias Lukwago, Acleo Kivumbi and others to be freed unconditionally,” Rubongoya demanded.

Others expected to be released in September include NUP member Sauda Madada, Doreen Kaija and Olivia Lutaaya.

Those welcomed by NUP included Umar Kato, Yasin Ssekitoleko aka Machete, Patrick Mwase, Sharif Kalanzi, Musa Kavuma, Jimmy Galukande, Joseph Muwonge, Abdallah Kintu and Abdukarim Gibusiwa.

Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi said the Government had failed to produce evidence to secure convictions over the six years the accused had spent in detention.

“For six years, no single evidence. And after failing, they pushed them to accept the charges. But however much they accept, they are still solid because they are not criminals,” Ssenyonyi emphasised.

NUP acting president John Baptist Nambeshe said the Government had failed to imprison the human spirit, adding that the resilience of the released supporters was inspirational.

“I do not only condemn unlawful abductions and arrests of our supporters. During the LC1 elections, many of our supporters were killed, especially in Bududa and Jinja districts where two people died in the fracas,” Nambeshe claimed.

The release is part of broader efforts to address political tensions in Uganda. NUP says more than 2,134 supporters were abducted between 2019 and 2021, with 18 still unaccounted for.

FDC suggests dialogue to secure Besigye's release

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has called for dialogue to secure the release of its former president, Dr Kizza Besigye, who has been detained since November 2024.

The party expressed concern over Besigye's frailty following a recent court appearance and urged the Government to pardon him, citing his deteriorating health.

Speaking to journalists at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi on Monday, FDC deputy president for the western region Robert Centenary appealed to the Government to recognise Besigye's contribution to the country, saying he deserves a fair and speedy trial.

“As a presidential candidate, he put forward proposals on health, education, governance, agriculture, and social protection that have gone to shape public policy and improve people's lives. The political differences should not erase that record for sure,” Centenary noted.

Centenary appealed to the Government to recognise the contribution the former party president has made to the country, insisting that he deserves a fair and speedy hearing as he faces treason charges.

“Trying Besigye when absent is unfair. His being in intensive care (ICU) is reason enough for the Courts to act humane and reconsider their treatment of the veteran politician,” he observed.