Five members of opposition National Unity Platform have been charged and consequently remanded over conducting unlawful military drills.
Calvin Tasi(alias Bobi Giant), Edwin Serunkuuma (alias Eddie King Kabenja), Sharif Lukenge, Yasin Nyanzi, and Tonny Kaweesi appeared before Grade One Magistrate Damalie Agumasiimwe on Monday and charged with holding unlawful military drills.
They were added to an already existing file that includes Edward Sebuufu (alias Eddy Mutwe) and Achileo Kivumbi, who were remanded earlier on related charges.
Chief State Attorney Sharon Nambuya read the amended charge sheet that linked all seven accused to events of February 12, 2025, at NUP offices in Kavule.
Prosecution alleges that the group and others still at large, on February 12, 2025, conducted military style training, movement and drills at NUP offices in Makerere-Kavule, Wandegeya without the approval of the minister.
They also face a second count of conspiracy to commit a felony, allegedly contravening Section 45(1)(b) of the Penal Code Act.
The group however denied the charges.
Defense lawyers Samuel Mulindwa Muyizi and Shamim Malende immediately sought bail for the suspects. But prosecution objected, claiming it was unprepared to respond due to “heavy workload and pending investigations.” Prosecutors requested a month to file affidavits.
In her ruling, Magistrate Agumasiimwe adjourned the case to September 29, 2025, when the bail application will be heard. Until then, the suspects remain in custody at Luzira.
The atmosphere turned emotional when suspects, some in visible distress, caught sight of their families. Achileo Kivumbi, appearing weak, requested water and remained seated throughout the proceedings. Eddy Mutwe also cited ill health.
Family members and NUP supporters who tried to access the courtroom were blocked by heavily deployed security, a move that sparked outrage from party leaders.
Leader of Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi condemned what he described as intimidation by security forces and manipulation of court processes.
“We have consistently seen our supporters being arrested, abducted, and frustrated in court processes. This is unlawful and unacceptable,” Ssenyonyi said, accusing the prosecution of deliberately dragging the case.
Defense lawyers echoed the concerns, warning that other NUP leaders, including Deputy Spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, were being targeted for arrest.
In a parallel development, the same court also handled a separate file of 33 NUP supporters, including MPs Derrick Nyeko (Makindye East) and Muwada Nkunyinji (Kyadondo East). They face charges of incitement to violence, obstruction of traffic, and malicious damage to property.
The case stalled after lawyer Samuel Muyizi informed court that they had petitioned the Chief Magistrate for a review of file handling and demanded full disclosure of prosecution evidence before trial proceeds.
A heated exchange between defense lawyers and State Attorney Nambuya forced the magistrate to briefly suspend proceedings and summon both parties to chambers. The session resumed later but was adjourned without progress.
For now, the seven accused in the Kavule drill case will remain in Luzira until the end of September, when their bail application will be heard.
Meanwhile, the case against the 33, including two MPs, hangs in balance awaiting further guidance from the Chief Magistrate.
