The opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) has defended supporters who have 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 issued after several party supporters entered guilty pleas or plea bargain arrangements, NUP said it does not encourage members to incriminate themselves but recognises the difficult circumstances that have driven some to take that course.
The party linked the development to what it described as an increasingly restrictive approach to granting bail, citing President Yoweri Museveni’s recent remarks urging judicial officers not to release what he termed “opposition lawbreakers.”
In a televised national address last Saturday, Museveni argued that courts should exercise caution when granting bail to opposition suspects, saying they could interfere with witnesses.
The president has repeatedly criticised the granting of bail to suspects facing capital offences, arguing that public safety and the integrity of investigations should take precedence.
Among the most prominent opposition figures affected is four-time presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye, who has spent close to two years on remand after courts repeatedly declined to release him on bail.
NUP argued that for some detainees, pleading guilty has become the quickest legal avenue to regain their freedom after years in detention. According to the party, many of those on remand have spent lengthy periods in custody without trial and with little prospect of securing bail.
The party maintained that choosing to plead guilty does not necessarily amount to an admission of committing the alleged offences but instead reflects the pressure and hardship associated with prolonged detention.
While reiterating that it does not encourage self-incrimination, NUP said it would not condemn supporters who choose to enter plea bargains or plead guilty through legally recognised procedures to secure their release from prison.
The party added that what matters most is how those supporters conduct themselves after regaining their freedom. At the same time, NUP praised supporters who have refused to admit guilt despite remaining behind bars, describing them as the true heroes whose commitment deserves recognition and continued support.
The statement comes amid growing debate over the treatment of opposition figures within Uganda’s criminal justice system, where courts have increasingly declined to grant bail to suspects facing serious charges.
NUP says more than 150 of its supporters remain in detention on what it describes as politically motivated and fabricated charges. According to the party, some were arrested during the run-up to the 2021 general elections, while others were detained following the January 2026 polls.
The issue has remained contentious since the 2021 elections, when hundreds of opposition supporters were arrested during and after the campaigns. In several cases, detainees accepted plea bargains or pleaded guilty, received lighter sentences and were later released through presidential pardons.
Others rejected the option, maintaining their innocence, and continue to be held on remand, mainly at Luzira and Kitalya prisons, as their cases move slowly through the courts.
The latest statement comes a day after the High court granted bail to former Butambala County MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, who had been on remand at Kitalya Prison since January.
Kivumbi was arrested following violent clashes in Butambala district during a security operation in which more than 10 people were shot dead at his residence. Prosecutors accuse him of terrorism-related offences linked to the incident. He was released on bail on Thursday, although the substantive criminal case against him remains before the court.
Certainly, the guilty plea by NUP supporters is not genuine but simply frustrated and desperate to gain their freedom after being abandoned by the NUP leadership. It’s a complete abandonment by Kyagulanyi and his leadership due to the fact that they continue to enjoy the fruits of the rigged, bogus and violent elections while the innocent NUP supporters are rotting in endless incarceration. The NUP leadership want to have it both ways; on one hand they claim Uganda is undemocratic and lawless, and M7 rigs elections, thus the exact reason why the NUP supporters are arrested and incarcerated endlessly. While portraying that narrative, they’re they continuing to endorse endless M7’s govt which the claim to undemocratic, lawless and rigs elections by participating in the very same govt by taking elective positions of the same govt.
M7 has maintained his autocratic stance while Kyagulanyi enjoys the status quo by being creative of giving NUP supporters and the nation at large that he is in the struggle for change, yet he is in it to make have his hands on taxpayers’ money. For example, this time he led his supporters in a theme, “Kalonde, Kakuume, Kabbanje.” That is the exact reason why NUP supporters were arrested and incarcerated in the last elections, not to mention those who are still incarcerated since Nov. 2020. Did NUP deliver on its stance of Kalonde, Kakuume, Kabbanje? Certainly, No. Ssenyonyi and his opposition parliament leadership happily accepeted Kyagulanyi’s endorsement of the rigged elections and joined M7’s autocratic govt in governing the nation! So, Kyagulanyi and the NUP leadership are not interested in bringing change to Uganda but to maintain the status quo. That is why NUP supporter end up pleading guilty to crimes they never committed.
In other words, the guilty pleas from jailed NUP supporters are not admissions of guilt; they are acts of sheer desperation by people abandoned by their own leaders. While innocent youth rot in prison, Kyagulanyi and the NUP leadership are busy enjoying the perks of a rigged system.
There is only one problem with your argument, not a single elected member of the NUP or any other opposition party, with the exception of Norbert Mau, is a member of the ruling government, they are all form part of the opposition in parliament, and the opposition is not part of the Museveni selected government.
Esparrow, let me simplify this for you. In the broad sense, “government” refers to the entire state system. It encompasses all three branches: the legislature (Parliament), the executive (Cabinet), and the judiciary (the courts). Under this definition, Parliament is absolutely a part of the government. Therefore, NUP and every other opposition party with MPs are actively part of the government.
The real issue is this: why does the opposition join Museveni’s governing system when they hold absolutely no power? Their presence is completely meaningless to the public and only benefits them as individuals. Just like Museveni, his family, relatives, his militant inner circle, the opposition—particularly NUP—is only interested in pulling up a chair to the dining table to share taxpayers’ money, not to wield real power for change.
That is a very biased and reads like something written by someone who is detached or deliberately denying the reality.
Am not a NUP member but I know for a fact NUP with the limited resources does its best to take care of its members and their Families.
It’s intellectual dishonesty to blame NUP for those who are arrested instead of blaming the abductors. That’s normally done by those who want to discourage participation of youth in asking for change and the rule of law.
Facts on the ground show NUP being run better than most parties, better planners and more efficient and made bigger strides across the Country than the other so called opposition who routinely point out NUP s shortcomings instead of looking at the NRM failures…
I must say that I find it very strange that some people chose to not only blame members of the opposition but also accuse them if things that do not sense.
If our history means anything , then why don`t we take a look at all the all the atrocities that have been committed by one regime after another even when there were no elections or any official opposition per se.
After the 1966 crisis , hundreds of prominent Ugandans were detained ( without trial) under the “state of emergency” that was imposed only in Buganda . Noted should be the fact that from 1961 to 1980 , there were no elections in Uganda , yet state violence against individuals or groups of individuals never ceased .
Under Life President Idd Amin , there were neither elections or parliament : but this did not stop Idd Amin`s Secret Agencies ( State Research and others) to select individuals and eliminate them.
Of late , Dr.Sara Birete and Dr. Matembe were abducted . These ladies belong to none of the opposition parties; their only crime is that they hold opinions that annoy the Ruler and his associates. Would Matembe stay quiet just because NUP decided to not participate in the elections ?
Would Mr. Museveni , and members of his ruling family pack their bags and go home just because FDC disbanded `?
My own answer to both questions is ; Hell NO !
My thinking then is that it is kind of illogical to assume that if , for example , Dr.Besigye did not participate in elections , he would be a free man
I also do not agree , not even for a second that Bobi Wine is having the best of his time as a result of having participated in the elections . or to be exact , challenging the Supreme Leader.
Its mockery of all victims of state brutality .passed , present and future , to insinuate that they are beneficiaries of their victimization .
Kaku, I respectfully beg to disagree with you. What actual facts show that NUP is run better than most parties? The stark reality on the ground suggests the exact opposite. Ever since Kyagulanyi and NUP took over the opposition, any real hope for political change in Uganda has completely vanished. While past leaders like Paul Ssemwogerere used parliament to aggressively protest past regimes, NUP has used it to comfortably settle into the status quo. Meanwhile, the grim reality on the ground consists of drones abducting innocent citizens day in and day out with absolute impunity. With every election cycle, Museveni doubles down on abducting, torturing, jailing, and killing innocent people. Today, we even see his son, Muhoozi, openly bragging about abducting and torturing citizens in basements to “teach them” Runyankole and Swahili. Kaku, when ordinary citizens face this level of terror while the main opposition sits comfortably in parliament, how can you claim NUP is doing better than other parties?
Kaku, it is impossible to say NUP is doing better when their politicians are enjoying state privileges while ordinary citizens are being hunted by drones, abducted, and tortured with absolute impunity. I suppose that is what you consider “being better” than other parties.
Mukulu Remase , it is no secret that you and I get along . I respect your views and I know that you do the same.
With all due respect , I totally disagree with you on the issues you raise .
I do not agree that ” Kyagulanyi and NUP leadership are busy enjoying the perks of a rigged system ” I actually think you would be hard pressed to find any reasonable Ugandan who will say that Kyagulanyi is better off living in exile than in the home he built for his young family long before he even dreamed of joining this very risky business of challenging the gun owners .
I see that as a cruel over-statement that should not come from someone of your standard of evident comprehension .
Betty, I highly respect you and your constructive insights, and I agree with much of what you say. However, here is where we differ: why do we continue to engage in rigged and violent elections over and over again, only to yield the exact same results? You are right that history shows atrocities occurred even without a formal opposition, such as under Amin. Furthermore, when DP’s Paul Ssemwogerere was rigged out during Obote II, he chose parliament and his “black book” over the bush. But the bitter reality today is that ever since Kyagulanyi and NUP emerged on the scene, the true struggle for change has died, and any real hope for the future has completely disappeared. In a broad political sense, “government” includes the legislature, executive, and judiciary. By taking their seats in Parliament, NUP and the opposition have legally integrated themselves into Museveni’s state apparatus. Why choose to sit in a government where you hold zero power? They have turned the struggle into a commercial enterprise. Much like Museveni, his family, and his inner circle, NUP has abandoned the fight for change just to secure a seat at the dining table and feast on taxpayers’ money.
Ssebo , I still believe its possible to discuss the merits and the demerits of any issue , particularly this one about NUP and the opposition . I should say that I do not see you doing that .
I beg Ms Kaku James to allow me to use some of his remarks to clarify the point. James Kuku mentioned that Even with their limited resources , NUP is doing its best to take care of members of its family. With exception of very few , everyone else knows that NUP is burdened with hundreds of orphans , widows , old parents of its members that were killed , are missing or under illegal detention .
Ms Kaku also mentioned another merit by noting that on the ground , NUP has done much better than other parties that come long before it . Without prejudice , that fact stands.
Here are some other facts to consider: .Mr Kyagulanyi`s home was raided a day after the election . His Vice President .west – was abducted on the election day , His Vice President-north. was abducted the day before the election day. His Vice President- Buganda – was attacked , his assistants were murdered and he was arrested. Kyagulanyi is in exile; one of his vice president`s whereabouts are unknown ; knives are out to chop Lop Ssenyonyi and replace him with an NRM leaning person etc etc.
With all this information right before you , do you still think its right to say that “Kyagulanyi and NUP leadership are busy enjoying the perks of a rigged system” ?!
You write :” they have turned the struggle into a commercial enterprise , just like Museveni and his family”
You think this is an appropriate parallelism ?
I end as a begun : its possible to criticize NUP , Kyagulanyi , Besigye or any member of the opposition without making overstatements or allegations that sound like the ones that are supposed to be made by the regime`s spin doctors .
Ebyo bye byange .
If National Unity was a real opposition party, it would have called for an end to the tribalistic system & called Ugandans to UNITY, the only POWER needed to stop Rwandese Museveni, without war!
War against Rwandese Museveni will only be dangerous,lethal for Ugandans as they will fight, kill…one another while Museveni & family enjoy the show & just rule, own Uganda!
Why are powerless tribally divided ruled Ugandans so so bent on being slaves of the immirgant family & just ensure their enslavement?
Once Ugandans UNITE, will Museveni still have the power to stay on & where?
Why are Ugandans not aware it’s them ensuring their enslavement by being powerless tribally divided slaves of the immigrant family, in the zone formed by their tribal lands?
+40 years & Ugandans just go along POWERLESS tribally divided without Common Goal, without Common Leader to UNITE them & stop the Rwandese family, WHY?
Bobi Wine is quiet as he ensured Rwandese Museveni is prtoected with last useless presidential election & he doesn’t care Dr Besigye is rotting in prison when it could be him!
Ugandans, all you need is NO to the tribalistic system & UNITY so, what are you waiting for when it you the victimes who are also ensuring your miseries by keeping Rwandese Museveni on for 45+++++years?
Ugandans, why is the divisive inhuman tribalistic system still on & you ensure it, thus remain slaves of the immigrant family for good & who are those arresting, harrassing, imprisoning…Ugandans for Rwandese Museveni?
Akot, as always, you stand firm and steady. You have never wavered on how these bogus, violent elections only serve to divide the opposition and weaken the struggle. Betty argues that because Idi Amin committed atrocities without a parliament or an opposition, Museveni would do the same regardless of what the opposition does. What she conveniently leaves out is that Museveni himself made it abundantly clear that a mere piece of paper—a ballot—will never dislodge him from power. Ironically, Betty compares Museveni to Amin to justify the opposition’s continuous participation in these sham elections. Her logic implies that because Museveni will abduct, torture, and kill anyway, we might as well keep participating in a rigged system. This defeatist mindset is exactly why Museveni has ruled for over 40 years—longer than all previous regimes combined. The harsh truth is that state brutality has actually intensified since Kyagulanyi challenged the regime. Yet, Kyagulanyi made it clear from the start that his primary mission was not liberation, but to replace Dr. Besigye as the main opposition figure and position NUP above the FDC. By taking up parliamentary seats, his leadership has successfully commercialized the struggle—making millions in taxpayers’ money while doing absolutely nothing to stop the regime’s tyranny. Despite overwhelming evidence that these elections only legitimize Museveni’s autocracy and fracture our unity, Betty still defends this charade simply because she is blinded by the “Bwona mu bikwase Kyagulanyi” mentality. I rest my case.
Ssebo Remase , lets treat each other with respect. I am asking that in case you disagree with my views , please reason it out with me , instead of taking the matter to Justice Akot`s High Court .
I have respectfully addressed some of the issues you raised .; You have done the same .
Why then do you come here and accuse me of all these things ?
Anyway , I have no problems informing Justice Akot or anybody that there is a difference between justifying , defending and explaining something .
If , for example , I mention that Idd Amin abducted and killed his real and imagined enemies even when there was no elections or parliamentary culture ,and then I form a presumption if that the present military regime is doing the same against those who do not comply , it would do the same regardless of whether or not there is a structured opposition. When I take that position , I am not justifying or defending anything or anybody; I am merely offering my own ( informed) opinion, thats all.
I happen to be one who will remember that even when he was under detention , Dr.Besigye sent his wife to deliver his contribution to Kyagulanyi / NUP before the 2026 elections .( again , I am just explaining)
How then can I be the same person to agree with statements that seem to suggest or imply that Besigye and Kyagulanyi are shorn foes ?
Maybe I need to reveal that in my professional field , ambiguity and overstatements are abhorred because they can cost their maker lots of credibility
Betty, please understand that I am not accusing you of anything; I value our discussions too much to do that. If my previous comments felt like a personal attack, I sincerely apologize. We simply have a fundamental disagreement on strategy. Akot and I have consistently argued that we must stop participating in these sham elections and instead unite under a single, focused strategy to bring real change to Uganda. On the other hand, you believe that change can still come through the ballot box, and Kyagulanyi is your bet. That is where we differ. You mentioned that NUP is better than other parties because they take care of their members with the little resources they have. But Betty, that is a massive downgrade from what Kyagulanyi actually promised the country. Kyagulanyi did not ask for our votes just to run a charity for political prisoners. He explicitly told us, “Ono chali nze musobola” and told voters to just get their IDs and leave the rest to him under the banner of “Byona mu bikwase Kyagulanyi.” He promised total change, yet we remain stuck in the exact same cycle of violence. “Go get your national IDs, go vote, and leave the rest to me.” His entire campaign slogan was “Byona mu bikwase Kyagulanyi” (Hand everything over to Kyagulanyi). He effectively promised us that he would deliver liberation through a violent, rigged system—which we now know is impossible. It is my humble prayer and invitation to you, Betty, to join Akot and me. Help us persuade Kyagulanyi and NUP to abandon these toxic, dead-end elections so we can unite the entire nation under one common goal. If you come over to our side, I sincerely believe we will be one step closer to the unified Uganda we so desperately need and deserve.
Dear friend , your apology is accepted .
Before we close this particular conversation , I feel I must correct you again.
Nowhere have I said that “change can still come through the ballot box” . I stopped at explaining or making an argument that ballot box or not, military regimes will always tend to persecute and violently subdue anyone who , in their opinion , stands in their way.
In other words , I DO NOT agree that people are being abducted , kidnapped , tortured or worse simply because they participated in the elections .
Also , I supplemented Ms Kaku`s remarks about how NUP ( and other opposition groups) find themselves having to handle financial and welfare obligations that were forced on them -which obligations were not budgeted for. I personally know how commendable it is to do that considering all things involved. I also know that many orphans , widows , parents that lost their loved ones under the bush war were not accorded the type of care that NUP is doing to the victims of state terror.
I suppose you`ve seen war veterans that are living totally hopeless lives even when they are the small boys that were on the front when NRA captured power.
Please try to differentiate between slogans , lyrics and manifestos.
Your other friend , Akot , will always use the same word : tribal systems ; Personally , I will not take his words literally and pin him down as someone who is promising to abolish tribes . I prefer thinking that this is his artistic way of putting his stuff across .
Lastly , I appreciate your invitation to join you and Ms Akot in your quest to get rid of elections ; but I am going to have to understand what your plans are . They say that nature abhors vacuum . My question would then be what happens next in case all structed opposition parties get disbanded ? Are you saying that Mr.Museveni will change his mind just because the parliament in 111% NRM ?
Me , I heard Dr.Besigye telling us that in case we do not like when they ( opposition) are doing , we should feel free to start something that “works “. Start something !and do what Besigye , Kyagulanyi , Mugisha Muntu and others have failed to do . Many of us might join you.no invite needed .
I drive sometimes ; I always want to know on what side of the road the driver in front is keeping so I can decide what to do . I therefore do not feel alright with a driver who puts in the left indicator and then suddenly swings to the right.
I hope you know what I mean
Good night dear !
Betty, I am exceedingly glad to call you a friend, and I truly believe that as time goes on, we will find ourselves on the same page because, as the proverb goes, “Ow’omukwano tasobya” (A true friend does no wrong). The central point that Akot and I are putting across is that all Ugandans—regardless of party, gender, religion, tribe, or creed—know exactly who Museveni is. He is tribalistic, inherently violent, militant, deeply corrupt, and obsessed with nepotism and life presidency. In fact, when Akot speaks of tribalism, she is referring to a regime that has essentially reduced Uganda to a state ruled by a select few. It is a well-established fact that Museveni’s government, especially the most vital state institutions and security agencies, are overwhelmingly occupied by individuals from the West or of Banyarwanda descent. Regarding political parties, what good are they when they have zero power to effect change? All power remains concentrated in one man and his family. Ask yourself this rhetorical question: what has NUP or Kyagulanyi achieved since entering the political scene that was not already done by Dr. Besigye and the FDC? Instead of delivering liberation, they have only succeeded in dividing us along political lines and derailing the real struggle for change. Museveni designed this political system to be a money-making machine, and people are joining politics today not to serve the nation, but to enrich themselves. Period. I will continue from here next time.
Good afternoon !
Before I offer my response to the issues you raise, I feel that I must make it clear that mine is just a response which is in no way means that I am “pinning” for Bobi Wine as you earlier assumed .
a) You challenge me to ask myself a rhetorical question on what NUP or Kyagulanyi has achieved since entering the political scene . My rhetorical answer is that beauty is in eyes of the beholder. Some will say that NUP or Kyagulanyi has done what no other political figure has even done :introduced the ghetto into main leadership culture. NUP / Kyagulanyi has re-captured Buganda and Busoga , forcing the powerful NRM to resort to primitive methods -highway vote robbery . NUP/ Kyagulanyi has demonstrated that it is possible to organize our finances and build infrastructure . ( NUP has put together and owns properties country wide- something that NRM has not done in 4o years)
They will say that in Kyagulanyi , Uganda youths with no special academic background can stand up and become leaders . There is no way Full Figure would become a presidential adviser if it was not for Bobi Wine`s entry.
Mwami Robert Mawanda would wonder what you and Akot would be writing about endlessly if Kyagulanyi and NUP did not exist ( haha)
On the other hand of course , there are people like you and many NRM people who see nothing of any significance that NUP or Kyagulanyi has done besides causing trouble.
b) you state that NUP/ Kyagulanyi have only succeeded in dividing YOU along political party lines , derailing the struggle for change.
Hard luck , because History and Facts will disprove yet another false statement from you
– UPC broke into several pieces when Kyagulanyi was in primary school
– Dr. Besigye , Mr. Amanya Mushega , Mr. Augustino Rugundana, Mr.Kalega Njuba and later , Gen Muntu , Mr,Bidandi Ssali . etc , broke away from NRM when Kyagulanyi was still a young singer
-DP had its problems , many of which some of us cannot even remember. Norbert Mao is the man who will be remembered as DP`s Undertaker.
– Long before Kyagulanyi / NUP arrived in the scene , FDC had spilt into several parts , Some went to ANT , some ( moles ) joined NRM .
– Noted is the fact that some of these opposition leaders showed up whenever NUP organized a function.
So , my dear friend , what exactly is the basis of your assertions ? I am curious to know how you manage to get past all these facts and arrive at your conclusions ?
I should say that it is quite okay to criticize the opposition anytime ; but wouldn`t it better to “proportionalize” the charges so they do not appear like this is nothing but mere monotonous malice ?
Nice day !
Debating Remase or Okot is a dead end because they recycle the same arguments every single time.
For Remase, every discussion comes back to one claim: that Bobi Wine joined politics to displace Dr. Besigye and make money from the opposition. He even goes as far as falsely claiming that “Kyagulanyi made it clear from the start that his primary mission was not liberation, but to replace Dr. Besigye as the main opposition figure and position NUP above the FDC.”
For Okot, every issue is reduced to Museveni’s tribalism. Regardless of the topic, that’s always the conclusion.
What both consistently fail to offer is a practical way forward. Beyond criticising the current opposition, what exactly is their alternative? Should Ugandans simply stop opposing the regime and wait for Museveni to voluntarily hand over power? If that’s the proposal, they are deluded
This is a good observation .