By our Reporter
NATIONAL
President Museveni has pardoned 19 National Unity Platform (NUP) Party supporters who had been convicted by the Court Martial following a Plea Bargain.
This was revealed by the State Minister of Youth and Child Affairs, Dr. Balaam Baruhagara Ateenyi on X-Handle today, Friday, 22nd November, 2024.
“Heartfelt gratitude to His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for granting pardon to 19 young individuals who were recently convicted of various crimes following a plea bargain. Your compassionate decision gives them a second chance at life. We shall support the rest to get themselves out of danger whenever they approach our office for help. Thank you, and May God bless you,” writes Balaam.
The 19 are; Ssegujja Rashid (A1), Rugumayo Robert Christopher (A3), Kakooza Muhuyadin (A5), Kujambu Simon (A7), Matoovu Abdul (A8) and Lutaaya Olivia (A10).
Others are; Kijjambu Ronald (A11), Kiwanuka Mesach (A14), Wandera Ibrahim (A18), Nagwere Asubat (A19), Musaakuru Stephen (A20), Muwanguzi Paul (A22), Matovu Shariff (A24) and Mafabi Davis (A26).
The rest are; Katushabe Kigozi Livingstone (A28), Katabi Swaibu (A29), Obalayi Mudebo Siraji (A30), Muganza Joseph (A31) and Lwanga Stanley (A32).
The Court Martial in Makindye on Wednesday sentenced the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters to three months and 22 days in prison.
The group was on Monday convicted of treachery upon their own guilty plea.
Ms Lutaaya, a mother of two, has been the poster face of the group and earned much public respect for her resolve to bear the brunt of incarceration in military detention for more than three years.
Their confession, on October 14, was widely welcomed by the public. But it also saw to heated exchanges by NUP leaders as well as divided opinion.
Youth and Children Affairs minister Balaam Barugahara, who is said to have visited the political detainees and offered the ‘olive branch’, earned plaudits from the ruling National Resistance Movement supporters, but he took as much flak for it, too.
