President Museveni has exercised his constitutional powers to pardon 19 National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters who were sentenced to prison by the General Court Martial last month.
The president’s order, issued under Article 12(1)(a) of the Constitution, directs the immediate release of the 19 individuals, who were found guilty of treachery and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Mr Frank Baine, the spokespersons of Uganda Prisons Service confirmed that they have received an instrument of power from the president pardoning 19 NUP supporters.
The pardoned individuals 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, Stanley Lwanga, Joseph Muganza, Siraji Mudebo Obalayi and Paul Muwanguzi.
They were arrested in Kalangala District while campaigning for presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, and later sentenced to five years in prison.
The General Court Martial, chaired by Brig Gen Freeman Mugabe handing them the five year jail term, had considered the time spent on remand and the duration of the trial before handing down the sentence of three years and twenty days.
“Considering the three years, four months, and eight days spent in pre-trial detention, as well as the sixteen months devoted to your defense, this court hereby delivers the following sentence: for the offense of treachery, each of you will serve three months and twenty-two days in prison, while for the offense of unlawful possession of ammunition, each of you will receive a caution,” ruled Brig Gen Mugabe.
However, the group expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict and sought a presidential pardon.
The prosecution had alleged that the group possessed 13 explosive devices, which are exclusively reserved for the defense forces, in various locations across Uganda between November 2020 and May 2021.
