The General Court Martial has sentenced 16 supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) to five years in prison for treachery, while issuing a caution for unlawful possession of ammunition.
The group, led by Muhydin Kakooza, pleaded guilty to the charges of possessing explosive devices and treachery, while also seeking forgiveness from the court.
Presided over by Brig. Gen. Freeman Mugabe, the court took into account several factors in its decision, including the three years and eight months the group had already spent on remand, their 16-month trial period, their guilty plea, and the fact that many of the defendants are sole breadwinners for their families.
These considerations contributed to the relatively short sentence, where they will now serve three months and 22 days.
The 16 individuals were originally arrested in December 2020 during the presidential campaigns. They were charged with possessing 13 explosive devices, an offense typically reserved for the defense forces. Later, the charge of treachery was added to the case.
According to the prosecution, the group was found in possession of explosive devices in several areas, including Jinja, Mbale, and Kampala, between November 2020 and May 12, 2021.
Despite their guilty plea and the time already served, the accused expressed dissatisfaction with the sentence. They had anticipated being released after pleading guilty and serving over three years on remand. The group now plans to appeal the court’s decision and seek a presidential pardon.
