A UGANDAN military tribunal has convicted 16 members of the opposition party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), on charges of ‘illegal possession of explosive devices and treachery.’ The court’s ruling has raised serious concerns, with defence lawyers suggesting the proceedings were deeply flawed.
According to Shamim Malende, a defence lawyer for the group, the circumstances surrounding the plea of guilty were ‘questionable.’ The 16 NUP members had initially denied the charges but later changed their plea. Malende told French news agency AFP, ‘Circumstances surrounding their plea of guilty to the charges they had denied previously was questionable,” hinting at possible coercion.
Explosive allegations
The prosecution alleged that the accused, alongside others still at large, were found in possession of explosive devices between November 2020 and May 2021. This was during Uganda’s contentious election period, in which long-standing President Yoweri Museveni faced significant opposition from former pop star and now prominent political figure, Bobi Wine (real name Robert Kyagulanyi).
Wine, leader of the NUP, has openly criticised the trial, claiming that the group had been forced into pleading guilty. He also suggested they were pressured into seeking a presidential pardon. ‘They were blackmailed by state agents,’ Wine told AFP. He also stated that these convictions were part of a broader campaign of political repression under Museveni’s regime.
Questionable proceedings
Journalists were notably barred from the tribunal, raising further concerns about the transparency of the trial. The accused have already spent four years behind bars, and their sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday. This comes as Uganda’s political environment continues to be strained by accusations of electoral fraud and suppression of opposition voices.
Uganda’s 2021 elections were marred by reports of widespread fraud and intimidation, and protests against the arrest of Bobi Wine and his supporters were met with violent crackdowns. At least 54 people were killed during protests, and opposition members have frequently faced arrests and harassment under Museveni’s long-standing rule, which began in 1986.
Bobi Wine’s response
Bobi Wine, who has gained international attention for his opposition to Museveni’s government, has condemned the convictions, suggesting that justice is being undermined by political motivations. ‘Whatever Museveni’s government is doing, one day all those under him, including himself, will be called to account,’ Wine told AFP.
Wine’s rise in Ugandan politics has been met with strong resistance from the ruling regime. His efforts to challenge Museveni’s long grip on power have seen him arrested, beaten, and subjected to intimidation. Despite this, Wine remains a powerful voice for the country’s disenfranchised youth and continues to call for change.
A legacy of repression
Uganda has been ruled by Yoweri Museveni for nearly four decades, with his government frequently accused of suppressing dissent and violating human rights. The latest conviction of NUP members adds to a long list of actions against opposition figures in the country, drawing attention to the authoritarian nature of Museveni’s administration.
As the 16 NUP members await their sentencing, the case continues to draw international scrutiny. Critics argue that Museveni’s government is using military courts and state machinery to stifle political opposition, further eroding Uganda’s democratic framework.
With the sentencing set for Wednesday, many are watching closely to see how this will affect the already tense political situation in Uganda, as calls for greater transparency and fairness in the judicial system continue to grow.
