By Kabuye Ronald
Nine supporters of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) have taken the first step towards returning to civilian life after the General Court Martial granted them amnesty, bringing to an end years of military detention linked to alleged rebel activities.
The decision, delivered on Friday during proceedings at the General Court Martial in Makindye chaired by Brig. Richard Tukacungurwa, followed applications by the accused seeking pardon under Uganda’s Amnesty Act.
The beneficiaries are Yasin Ssekitoleko alias Machete, Patrick Mwase, Sharif Kalanzi, Joseph Muwonge, Abdalla Kintu, Emma Umar Kato, Musa Kavuma, Jimmy Galukande and Abdallah Hakim Gibusiwa.
State prosecutors, led by Lt. Col. Raphael Mugisha, the Director of Prosecutions, informed the court that the prosecution had no objection to the applications. The court subsequently approved the requests and ordered that the nine be transferred to the Uganda Amnesty Commission.
Nathan Twinomugisha, the Principal Legal Officer at the Amnesty Commission, formally received the group on behalf of the commission. They are expected to undergo counselling, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes before returning to their respective communities.
Yasin Ssekitoleko alias Machete
The nine had been in military custody since the aftermath of the 2021 General Election, facing charges of treachery under Section 127(a) of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Act and unlawful possession of ammunition under Section 158(2)(c) of the same law.
According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly operated between March and May 2021 in various parts of the Kampala Metropolitan Area, including Kireka, Nakulabye, Kawempe, Natete and Nakasero, as well as in Jinja and Mbale cities. Prosecutors alleged they were members of a rebel group known as the “Bali Bali” group.
The state further alleged that the group recruited members, underwent military-style training and participated in the unlawful detonation of improvised explosive devices targeting motor vehicles and other infrastructure, actions it said were prejudicial to Uganda’s national security.
Prosecutors also alleged that between November 2020 and May 12, 2021, the accused were found in unlawful possession of improvised explosive devices in Kampala, Wakiso, Jinja and Mbale, forming the basis of the ammunition-related charges.
In seeking amnesty, the applicants admitted participating in the alleged rebellious activities, renounced any future involvement in rebellion and pledged to abide by the law.
The accused were represented by Major Simon Busagwa Nsubuga throughout the proceedings.
Their transfer to the Amnesty Commission marks the beginning of a reintegration process aimed at preparing former participants in rebellion-related activities to return to civilian life, in line with Uganda’s amnesty framework.
