KAMPALA, Uganda – Thirty-two individuals, arrested and detained since 2021, have been navigating the country’s judicial system. On Monday, nineteen of them pleaded guilty to various charges and asked President Yoweri Museveni to forgive them on grounds that they were misled by their party leadership.
They included; Muhymdin Kakooza, 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 and Stanley Lwanga.
According to reports, a government minister visited the prisoners, urging them to plead guilty and seek forgiveness. This development has sparked discussion about the circumstances surrounding their detention and guilty pleas.
National Unity Platform (NUP) leader, Bobi Wine, has spoken out on the matter. “It’s disturbing to learn that 19 of our comrades have been coerced into pleading guilty to crimes they didn’t commit. The regime’s tactics are appalling,” he stated.
Wine emphasized that the prisoners had endured nearly four years of detention without trial or evidence presented against them. “Their lawyers were forced to withdraw, and they were coerced into adopting UPDF lawyers. This is a travesty of justice.”
Nine prisoners maintain their innocence, requesting a fair trial or unconditional release. Their families and supporters continue to advocate for their rights.
Wine commended the nine prisoners who refused to plead guilty. “We salute their courage and resilience. We understand the frustration and desperation of those who pleaded guilty, but we won’t judge them.”
Human rights organizations are monitoring the situation, emphasizing Uganda’s obligations to international human rights standards.
The government has not commented on the allegations of coercion.
The case highlights complexities within Uganda’s judicial system and the need for continued dialogue on human rights and the rule of law.
Bobi Wine’s full statement below
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Today, I have learned that 19 of the original 32 political prisoners on the #OliviaLutaaya file have succumbed to regime coercion and pleaded guilty to crimes they did not commit after enduring nearly four years of detention without trial. It has also come to light that Mr. Museveni’s minister, Balaam, visited these political prisoners on Saturday —a non-visitation day— and pressured them to plead guilty and seek Museveni’s forgiveness or else they would never leave prison.
It is worth noting that, while we have been routinely blocked from visiting these comrades, regime operatives have had unrestricted access to them during which they have held long, recorded conversations and exercised undue influence over them. Even the few times we have met them have always been brief and conducted in the presence of security operatives and prison warders who insisted on listening to every word of our conversation.
This blatant abuse of rights and misuse of power must make us all to put today’s events in their proper context and therefore understand instead of judging these comrades. They have spent nearly 4 years in jail without trial, and without any evidence being presented against them. By the time the comrades were forced to drop our legal team which had represented them since 2021, the lawyers had taken every step in the book to secure their freedom but without success. The regime always made it clear that this was not a legal case but a political one. They were forced to abandon their lawyers and adopt UPDF lawyers!
While we understand the frustration and desperation of those who have pleaded guilty, I salute their 9 other fellow prisoners of conscience who continue to demand a fair trial or their freedom. The day of justice is near. WE SHALL OVERCOME!
