Nine supporters of Uganda’s opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) are expected to regain their freedom after nearly six years in detention without trial, the party has announced.
In a statement released on Friday, July 31, NUP confirmed that the group—identified as Ssekitoleko Yasin Machete, Patrick Mwase, Sharif Kalanzi, Joseph Muwonge, Abdallah Kintu, Umar Emma Kato, Kavuma Musa, Jimmy Galukande and Gibusiwa Abdallah—had been held for years under what the party described as an unjust legal process.
According to the statement, the detainees initially agreed to plead guilty to charges they insist they did not commit, following prolonged detention.
However, authorities reportedly shifted strategy and directed them to apply for amnesty instead.
“The military court has this morning sent them to the Amnesty Commission from where they will be given Amnesty Certificates and released,” the party said.
The development marks a significant turn in a long-running case that has drawn criticism from human rights advocates and opposition figures, who have repeatedly accused the Ugandan government of using the justice system to suppress dissent.
NUP welcomed the impending release but expressed concern over the safety of the individuals once freed.
The party cited previous incidents where released opposition supporters were allegedly re-arrested or transferred to government-controlled facilities.
“We hope they won’t be hijacked and forcefully taken to Kyankwanzi as happened to some of the comrades previously released,” the statement added.
Kyankwanzi is known as a national leadership training centre often associated with government programmes, including ideological training.
The Ugandan government has consistently denied allegations of political persecution, maintaining that all arrests and prosecutions are conducted within the law.
Authorities argue that individuals detained under military jurisdiction are linked to security-related offences.
The Amnesty Commission, a statutory body mandated to grant amnesty to individuals involved in armed rebellion, is expected to formally process the group’s release.