Court Postpones Hearing for 32 Detained NUP Supporters Arrested During Campaign Trail.

The army court in Kampala has delayed the hearing of 32 National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters’ second bail application.The suspects, who were arrested from Kalangala district during NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi’s campaign trail, are accused of unlawful possession of explosive devices, which are typically reserved for use by the defence forces.

The postponement has further prolonged the detention of the NUP supporters , raising concerns about the fairness of the legal process and human rights violations in Uganda.

They have been on remand at Kitalya Prison for more than two years following their arrest during 2021 violent presidential campaigns which saw Mr Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) declared president to rule for his fourth decade while in power.

In October last year, the suspects, most of whom are youths under 30, were denied bail by the same court presided over by Brig Gen Freeman Mugabe who argued that their sureties were not substantial, the offences against them are serious in nature and that they failed to prove that they have fixed places of aboard.

Brig Gen Mugabe, however, ordered for an expeditious trial, which their lawyers led by Mr George Musisi, say has been frustrated by both the state and the General Court Martial itself.

The first bail application was dismissed nine months after it had been filed.
In their second attempt to secure bail, the suspects who appeared before Brig Gen Mugabe on Monday asked court to release them pending hearing of their case.

Brig Gen Mugabe adjourned the case to March 29 when court is expected to hear submissions from the state prosecutor on the bail application.

Prosecution alleges that between November 2020 and May 12, 2021, in diverse areas of Jinja, Mbale, Kireka, Nakulabye, Kawempe, Nateete and Kampala Central, the accused and others still at large, were in possession of 13 pieces of explosive devices which are ordinarily a monopoly of the defence forces.

The suspects who include Rashid Ssegujja, Yasin Ssekitoleko, Robert Christopher Rugumayo, Ronald Mayiga, Patrick Mwase, Simon Kijambo, Abdu Matovu, Richard Nyombi, Olivia Lutaaya, Ronald Kijambo, Sharif Kalanzi, Joseph Muwonge, Mesach Kiwanuka, Abdalla Kintu, Umar Emma Kato and Musa Kavuma were charged with unlawful possession of ammunition contrary to Section 3 (1) and (2) of the Firearms Act.

Others are Ibrahim Wandera, Asbert Nagwere, Steven Musakulu, Jimmy Galukande, Paul Muwanguzi, Kenneth Kamanye, Sharif Matovu, Shafiq Ngobi, Davis Mafabi, Abdallah Hakim Gibusiwa, Livingstone Katushabe Kigozi, Obalai Siraji Mudebo, Joseph Muganza and Stanley Lwanga.

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However, Hussein Ssebandeke Kato, alias General Gaza, 33, who is alleged that in September 21, 2022 while at his residence at Kyengera Buddo in Wakiso District was found in possession of one pair of desert boots, one pair of jungle boots, a black beret and a walkie-talkie which are gazzeted defence stores, has been granted cash bail of Shs 2 million by the same court.