The General Court Martial has convicted 16 National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters on charges of unlawful possession of explosive devices and treachery.
The group, including Rashid Ssegujja, Robert Rugumayo, and 14 others, pleaded guilty and sought forgiveness .
Led by Brig Gen Freeman Mugabe, the court remanded the convicts until Wednesday for sentencing. Initially arrested in December 2020 during presidential campaigns, they faced charges of possessing 13 explosive devices, a monopoly of the defense forces. Later, an additional treachery charge was added .
Previous bail applications were denied due to insufficient sureties, prompting eight opposition MPs and a city mayor to offer surety. Prosecution alleges the group possessed explosive devices in various areas, including Jinja, Mbale, and Kampala, between November 2020 and May 12, 2021.
In a related development, Achileo Kivumbi, a private bodyguard to NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi, was released on bail. Kivumbi must pay Shs 2 million cash and is restricted from leaving Kampala without court permission. He faces charges of unlawful possession of military-grade equipment .
This conviction has sparked concerns about the treatment of opposition supporters and the use of military courts to try civilians. Bobi Wine has alleged coercion of NUP supporters in military court .
