Political Prisoners Break Under Pressure: NUP Members Plead Guilty After Four Years Amid Alleged Coercion by Museveni’s Regime

On October 14, 2024, after four years of unwavering defiance, Olivia Lutaaya and 15 other political prisoners broke their silence. They had been accused of unlawful possession of 13 pieces of explosive devices and treachery at the General Court Martial (GCM), charges they had consistently denied. But after years of brutal imprisonment and alleged pressure from state emissaries, they finally changed their plea to guilty.

A key player in their decision was Balam Barugahara, the youthful new Minister of Youth and Children Affairs, known for his loyalty to President Yoweri Museveni. Balam visited the prisoners at Kitalya Maximum Security Prison just two days before the sudden change in plea. He reportedly sealed a deal with the National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters, further highlighting the far-reaching power of the state to coerce political opponents.

“This didn’t happen overnight,” explained George Musisi, the lawyer representing the NUP detainees. “For the past year, they’ve been coerced and told different things by state officials. Even their decision to plead guilty was something they shared with us,” Musisi added.

The case has dragged on since June 2021, with over forty court appearances, and repeated rejections of bail applications. The group, including Lutaaya, was arrested in November 2020 during the campaign of Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), leader of the NUP and a presidential candidate in the 2021 elections. They were accused of possessing explosive devices under the Firearms Act, a charge often used by the Ugandan government to stifle political opposition.

The long, grueling court process took its toll on the prisoners. They are Rashid Segujja, Robert Rugumayo, Muhymdin Kakooza, Simon Kijjambu, Abdul Matovu, Mesarch Kiwanuka, Ibrahim Wandera, Asbert Nagwere, Steven Musakulu, Sharif Matovu, Davis Mafabi, Livingstone Katushabe Kigozi, Swaibu Katabi, and Stanley Lwanga.

Despite the plea deal, not all accused have succumbed. Nine NUP members, including Ssekitoleko Yasin Machete, Patrick Mwase, and Sharif Kalanzi, remain in prison, steadfastly refusing to plead guilty. Their fate remains uncertain as they continue to be held in Kitalya prison, notorious for its harsh conditions.

Lutaaya, a 30-year-old mother of two, became the face of resilience for the NUP political prisoners, frequently seen in the dock at the GCM with a sullen but determined demeanor. Over the years, she embodied the unbreakable spirit of the NUP supporters, but like many before her, she finally caved under the weight of the system. The GCM, known for rarely issuing acquittals, offers little chance of release without a confession or plea deal.

The Ugandan government’s tactics of coercion, detention, and bribery are well-documented, especially in its attempts to subdue the NUP, a political party that has presented a significant challenge to President Museveni’s rule since its inception in 2020. Several NUP supporters have been killed, while others remain missing, including John Bosco Kibalama, Mustapha Luwemba, Hassan Mubiru, and many more.

According to NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, “Many of them were abducted in 2019 and 2020, meaning some have been missing for four years.” The crackdown on opposition supporters, especially in the run-up to the 2021 elections, was brutal, with security forces killing over 100 people during protests.

As the 16 prisoners await sentencing on October 21, their guilty plea has been touted by Balam as their best hope for freedom. Treachery carries a potential death penalty, but Balam has boasted that his efforts will result in leniency. “My next step is to advocate for lenient sentences and appeal to the President to pardon them,” he told journalists.

Balam’s efforts to rehabilitate opposition figures are part of a broader state strategy. Earlier this year, he introduced Ali Kateregga, a local NUP councilor, to President Museveni as someone willing to work with the government. At the meeting, Museveni requested a list of detained opposition members, promising to pardon some, except those facing murder charges.

The plight of the remaining NUP detainees and those still missing is a persistent issue for the party and its leader, Bobi Wine. Critics accuse some NUP politicians of using the political prisoners as bargaining chips for fundraising in Western capitals, a claim Bobi Wine vehemently denies. “Release them, release them so that my business fails,” he challenged.

Despite the government’s tactics, the NUP remains resilient. At a rally in Masaka in May 2024, Bobi Wine proclaimed, “This train started a long time ago and will not stop. Anyone who stands in its way will just be bypassed.” The rally drew massive crowds, underscoring NUP’s enduring appeal despite the government’s relentless efforts to stifle it.

As Uganda approaches the 2026 elections, the political landscape remains fraught with tension. Balam’s maneuvers to secure guilty pleas from NUP supporters highlight President Museveni’s determination to crush the opposition. Yet, as the NUP continues to rally its supporters, the struggle for political change in Uganda is far from over.