Nine supporters of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) have been granted amnesty after the General Court Martial approved their applications for pardon, paving the way for their release from military custody.
The group, who had been in detention since the aftermath of the 2021 General Election, were granted amnesty during proceedings held on Friday before the General Court Martial in Makindye, chaired by Brig. Richard Tukacungurwa.
The beneficiaries are Yasin Ssekitoleko, also known as Machete, Patrick Mwase, Sharif Kalanzi, Joseph Muwonge, Abdalla Kintu, Emma Umar Kato, Musa Kavuma, Jimmy Galukande and Abdallah Hakim Gibusiwa.
State prosecutors, led by Lt. Col. Raphael Mugisha, the Director of Prosecutions, informed the court that the prosecution did not oppose the applications for amnesty. The court subsequently granted the requests and ordered that the nine be handed over to the Uganda Amnesty Commission.
Nathan Twinomugisha, the Principal Legal Officer at the Amnesty Commission, received the beneficiaries on behalf of the commission. They are expected to undergo rehabilitation, counselling and reintegration programmes before being reunited with their families.
The nine had been facing charges of treachery under Section 127(a) of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Act and unlawful possession of ammunition under Section 158(2)(c) of the same law.
According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly operated between March and May 2021 in several areas within the Kampala Metropolitan Area, including Kireka, Nakulabye, Kawempe, Natete and Nakasero, as well as in Jinja and Mbale cities. The state alleged they acted as members of a rebel group identified as the “Bali Bali” group.
Prosecutors further alleged that the group recruited members, underwent military-style training and unlawfully detonated improvised explosive devices targeting motor vehicles and other infrastructure in activities deemed prejudicial to Uganda’s national security.
The prosecution also alleged that between November 2020 and May 12, 2021, the accused were found in unlawful possession of improvised explosive devices in Kampala, Wakiso, Jinja and Mbale, forming the basis of the charge of unlawful possession of ammunition.
In their applications for amnesty, the accused admitted participating in the alleged rebellious activities, renounced any further involvement in such acts and pledged not to engage in them again.
The group was represented by Major Simon Busagwa Nsubuga.
