National Unity Platform Secretary General, Lewis Rubongoya has accused President Yoweri Museveni of allegedly using the Military to keep NUP members in Jail.
Mr. Lewis has also stated that the suspects were arrested by Police have been urged to plead guilty to get lighter sentence, Olivia Lutaaya who was arrested 4 years ago also agreed to take this plea.
Lewis Rubongoya Posted : “This afternoon while meeting the NUP political prisoners, Gen. Museveni’s minister Balaam came in to see them! They told us that he went to Kitalya and Luzira prisons on Saturday and met with them. He told them to plead guilty and apologize to Gen. Museveni if they want their freedom.Most of them have given in and pleaded guilty including Olivia Lutaaya and Saanya Muhuydin.”
” Only 9 of them have thus far stuck to their guns and refused to plead guilty. These are Ssekitoleko Yasin Machete, Patrick Mwase, Sharif Kalanzi, Joseph Muwonge, Abdallah Kintu, Umar Emma Kato, Kavuma Musa, Jimmy Galukande and Gibusiwa Abdallah.The regime is pressuring them to plead guilty. Rightfully, they’re asking the regime to produce evidence against them and try them.”
“The ones who have pleaded guilty told us they only did this because THEY’RE TIRED of the long detention with no end in sight. After close to four years of detention without trial, anyone can understand the frustration and despair.”
Lawyer Godwin Toko has expressed dismay following reports that political prisoner Olivia Lutaaya, along with Saanya Muhuydin, has pleaded guilty after spending four years in detention.
In a statement on X, Toko sympathized with their decision, emphasizing the immense suffering they have already endured during their prolonged imprisonment.
“I am shuttered to hear that Olivia Lutaaya and Saanya Muhuydin have agreed to plead guilty. Still, I don’t blame them, and I hope no one does. They’ve already paid a huge price for crimes I am sure, if they had really committed, the regime would have convicted them by now,” the lawyer remarked.
Toko has also voiced fears about the potential misuse of the legal system, warning that coerced guilty pleas could become a troubling trend under the current regime.
“My only prayer is that this doesn’t become a new normal for the regime: I fear it will,” he added.
Olivia Lutaaya is a comrade of the National Unity Platform and it is reported that she was ar sted four years ago due to his association with the opposition party.