The plea was entered during a session before the General Court Martial in Makindye, presided over by Brigadier General Freeman Robert Mugabe.
Olivia Lutaaya, a mother of two, has long been viewed as a political prisoner by many, with numerous calls for her release over the years. Her supporters claim she has been persecuted due to her political beliefs and association with the NUP.
The state, however, has maintained that while many NUP supporters were arrested during and after the 2021 general elections, only those with criminal cases have remained in custody. The authorities assert that those without such cases were released.
The accused had initially denied the charges but changed their plea, citing hopes of regaining their freedom after over three years of imprisonment. Their lawyer, Captain Simon Busagwa, confirmed that the decision to plead guilty was a strategic move aimed at securing a chance for release. The court has adjourned the case to October 21, 2024, when the prosecution will present the facts before proceeding with the final conviction.
The charges date back to allegations that the accused conspired to carry out petrol bomb attacks on government vehicles and buildings. These alleged plots were intended to disrupt President Yoweri Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony in May 2021. The authorities claim that the accused opposed Museveni’s re-election and backed NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, whom they believed had won the election.
The case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the 2021 elections and the government’s response to political dissent. As the court prepares to hear the prosecution’s presentation of facts, the future of Lutaaya and her co-accused hangs in the balance, with many watching to see how the case unfolds.
Sixteen supporters of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), including Olivia Lutaaya, the sole female accused, have pleaded guilty to charges of treachery and illegal possession of explosive devices. The plea was entered during a session before the General Court Martial in Makindye, presided over by Brigadier General Freeman Robert Mugabe.
Olivia Lutaaya, a mother of two, has long been viewed as a political prisoner by many, with numerous calls for her release over the years. Her supporters claim she has been persecuted due to her political beliefs and association with the NUP. The state, however, has maintained that while many NUP supporters were arrested during and after the 2021 general elections, only those with criminal cases have remained in custody. The authorities assert that those without such cases were released.
The accused had initially denied the charges but changed their plea, citing hopes of regaining their freedom after over three years of imprisonment. Their lawyer, Captain Simon Busagwa, confirmed that the decision to plead guilty was a strategic move aimed at securing a chance for release. The court has adjourned the case to October 21, 2024, when the prosecution will present the facts before proceeding with the final conviction.
The charges date back to allegations that the accused conspired to carry out petrol bomb attacks on government vehicles and buildings. These alleged plots were intended to disrupt President Yoweri Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony in May 2021. The authorities claim that the accused opposed Museveni’s re-election and backed NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, whom they believed had won the election.
The case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the 2021 elections and the government’s response to political dissent. As the court prepares to hear the prosecution’s presentation of facts, the future of Lutaaya and her co-accused hangs in the balance, with many watching to see how the case unfolds.
