KAMPALA- 16 out of the 28 jailed NUP supporters who have been in prison since the 2021 General elections have given up and decided to plead guilty to treachery charges before the General Court Martial at Makindye .
Last week the suspects led by Olivia Lutaaya asked court that the charges they have since denied committing be read afresh for purposes of changing plea.
On Monday their prayer was granted by the 7 member court chaired by Brig. Gen Freeman Mugabe who read the charges afresh of treachery and being in unlawful possession of explosives to Olivia Lutaaya; the only woman and 15 others.
Among the guilty group now is also Muhydin Kakooza who is known time and again for jumping out of the dock to attack court members while expressing dissatisfaction with the way court handles their matter.
Others who have accepted the offence are Rashid Ssegujja,David Mafabi, Robert Christopher Rugumayo, Abdul Matovu, Mesearch Kiwanuka ,Simon Kijambu, Ibrahim Wandera, Stanley Lwanga, Steven Musaakaru, Ronald Kijjambu, Asubat Nagwere, Livingstone Katushabe, Matovu Sharif and Swaibu Katabi.
The 16 have accepted that between November 2020 and May 12, 2021 in various places in Jinja, Mbale, Kireka, Nakulabye, Kawempe, Nateete and Kampala Central, they were arrested with 13 Improvised explosive devices which are a monopoly of only the UPDF.
That also with an intention of overthrowing the government of Uganda, they recruited and offered Military training to other people.
It’s not yet clear whether the suspects entered a plea deal with the Prosecution in exchange of a lighter punishment but Treachery carries a maximum sentence of death.
Nalutaaya and her group will return to court next week on the 21st October for the Army prosecutor to inform court how they committed the said offenses.
