Ugandan Military Court Sentences 16 Opposition Members in Explosive Device Case.

In a controversial ruling that has sparked outrage among opposition supporters, a Ugandan military court has sentenced 16 members of the National Unity Platform (NUP) to five years in prison. The court found the defendants guilty of illegal possession of explosive devices and treachery, linked to incidents between November 2020 and May 2021. This period was marked by heightened political tensions as the country prepared for elections.

The sentencing, delivered on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, was confirmed by Shamin Malende, the lawyer representing the accused. However, the court acknowledged that the time the defendants had already spent in custody over a year would reduce their sentence to three years and 22 days.

Despite the reduced sentence, the defense has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the ruling. "All that has happened to them is injustice, and we can’t allow injustice to prevail over innocent people," Malende emphasized. She revealed that the defense team is actively considering an appeal, asserting that the defendants are victims of political repression rather than criminals.

The prosecution alleged that the 16 NUP members were caught with explosives during a turbulent time in Uganda's political landscape, as President Yoweri Museveni's government cracked down on opposition movements. The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges, but NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobi Wine, questioned the legitimacy of the pleas. He claimed the defendants were coerced into admitting guilt and pressured to seek a presidential pardon.

The ruling has added to the already strained political climate in Uganda, where opposition figures have long accused the government of using the judiciary to silence dissent. As the NUP explores its legal options, the country continues to grapple with the broader implications of this high-profile case.

With the looming possibility of an appeal, the battle for justice for the 16 accused NUP members is far from over.