President Museveni has expressed his intention to grant clemency to certain opposition figures currently imprisoned in the country. The announcement came during a ceremony at State House Entebbe, where new ministers were being sworn in.
Addressing the issue, Museveni highlighted specific acts of violence attributed to supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) during the 2021 general elections, mentioning incidents like road blockades and physical assaults. While acknowledging these offenses, he clarified that individuals accused of serious crimes, such as murder, would not be eligible for release.
The president’s remarks followed a meeting where State Minister of Gender and Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara, introduced Ali Kateregga, an NUP Councillor from Masaka, to Museveni. Kateregga appealed for the pardon of detained suspects and expressed his commitment to the ruling party.
In response to Kateregga’s plea, Museveni outlined conditions for potential pardons, emphasizing a commitment from the individuals to refrain from future criminal activities. He underscored the government’s investment in infrastructure and public safety, suggesting that recidivism would not be tolerated.
Notably, the court martial recently released two of the 11 NUP supporters accused of involvement in terrorist activities during the turbulent 2021 election period. Opposition Members of Parliament have been boycotting parliamentary proceedings since October, demanding the release of their detained supporters.
Balaam Barugahara had previously pledged to appeal to the President for the release of detained youth, particularly those aligned with the opposition. The opposition, represented by former leader of opposition in Parliament Mathias Mpuuga, has raised concerns over the arrests and alleged disappearances of NUP supporters. Mpuuga has called for accountability and justice for those affected, including families mourning loved ones and individuals who have gone missing.
