President Museveni Promises To Release Jailed NUP Supporters, Sets Tough Conditions For Them
The recent court martial decision saw the release of two out of the 11 NUP supporters accused of involvement in terrorist activities and crafting improvised explosive devices during the tumultuous 2021 general election.
President Museveni has now vowed to grant pardons to certain opposition politicians currently imprisoned.”We will consider cases of individuals who participated in activities like burning tires on roads and assaulting others,” stated Museveni, addressing the violent acts carried out by NUP supporters during the 2021 elections.
“However, those accused of serious crimes such as murder will face difficulty in being granted freedom,” he added.
Museveni made these statements during the swearing-in ceremony of new ministers at State House Entebbe on Wednesday. The Minister of Gender and Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara, introduced Ali Kateregga, an NUP Councillor from Masaka, to President Museveni. Kateregga pleaded with the president to release the detained suspects and pledged support for the ruling party.
In response, Museveni expressed willingness to pardon the suspects under the condition that they commit to abstaining from further criminal activities, emphasizing the government’s substantial investment in infrastructure and safeguarding Ugandans’ lives.
Opposition Members of Parliament have been abstaining from parliamentary sessions since last October, demanding the release of their supporters allegedly held by security forces.Balaam had earlier promised to appeal to the President for the release of all young individuals, particularly those affiliated with the opposition, especially NUP supporters currently detained.
Last year, former Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga, stated that over 500 NUP supporters were arrested across the country on various charges. Most were released after a year without trial.
He demanded accountability for the reported deaths of 22 NUP supporters during the party president Robert Kyagulanyi’s campaign trail in 2021.
“The families of the deceased are still grieving without any prospect of receiving justice for the loss of their loved ones,” he remarked.
Mpuuga also criticized the government for failing to provide accountability and justice for several others missing for almost four years.
“These individuals were seized from their workplaces and homes by state security agencies. Families and friends have provided detailed accounts of their arrest and subsequent disappearance. Only the state can disclose their whereabouts,” he concluded.