The opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) has defended party supporters who pleaded guilty to criminal charges while on remand, arguing that such decisions should be viewed as a consequence of prolonged detention and repeated denial of bail rather than an admission of guilt.
In a statement released after several party supporters entered guilty pleas or negotiated plea bargain agreements, the party said it does not encourage members to incriminate themselves. However, it acknowledged that some detainees have opted for the legal route after spending extended periods in prison without trial.
According to NUP, the growing number of guilty pleas is linked to what it described as a tougher approach to granting bail for opposition supporters. The party cited recent remarks by President Yoweri Museveni, who urged judicial officers to exercise caution when considering bail applications for individuals accused of opposition-related offences.
In a televised national address last Saturday, President Museveni argued that courts should be careful when releasing opposition suspects on bail, saying they could interfere with witnesses. He has consistently maintained that suspects facing capital offences should not be granted bail easily, arguing that public safety and the integrity of investigations must take priority.
NUP said the continued denial of bail has left many detainees with limited options, forcing some to plead guilty simply to regain their freedom after years on remand. The party stressed that such decisions should not automatically be interpreted as proof that the accused committed the offences.
While reaffirming that it does not encourage self-incrimination, NUP said it would not condemn supporters who choose plea bargains or guilty pleas through legally recognised procedures to secure their release from prison. It added that what matters most is how those individuals conduct themselves after leaving detention.
At the same time, the party commended supporters who have remained in custody while maintaining their innocence, describing them as courageous and deserving of continued support.
NUP further claimed that more than 150 of its supporters remain in detention on what it called politically motivated charges. According to the party, some of those detainees were arrested during the run-up to the 2021 general elections, while others were detained following the January 2026 general elections.
The issue of prolonged detention of opposition supporters has remained contentious since the 2021 elections, during which hundreds of opposition activists were arrested before, during and after the campaigns. While some later accepted plea bargains, received lighter sentences and were eventually released through presidential pardons, others rejected the option, insisting on their innocence, and continue to face lengthy court processes while on remand, mainly at Luzira and Kitalya prisons.
The latest statement comes a day after the High Court granted bail to former Butambala County Member of Parliament Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, who had been on remand at Kitalya Prison since January.
Kivumbi was arrested following a security operation at his residence in Butambala District that turned violent, leaving more than 10 people dead. Authorities charged him with offences linked to the incident, although details surrounding the terms of his release have not yet been disclosed.
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