Uganda’s justice system has once again exposed its rotten core, with the General Court Martial acting as nothing more than a cruel puppet for dictator Museveni. The recent sentencing of 16 National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters—after years of unjust detention—stands as yet another despicable chapter in the regime’s relentless assault on dissent and political freedom. These citizens, who have been deprived of their fundamental rights for over four years, have fallen prey to a concoction of military tyranny, legal mockery, and a leadership that thrives on oppression.
Let’s be real. No one believes that these so-called “attempts to overthrow the government” or possession of military wares ever happened. This entire spectacle reeks of fabrications designed to intimidate and silence opposition supporters. For four years, these NUP prisoners were paraded like cattle before a kangaroo court, their bail applications repeatedly denied for flimsy reasons. It didn’t matter that Members of Parliament, including the Leader of the Opposition, offered to stand as sureties—the General Court Martial, under Museveni’s thumb, had already decided these prisoners’ fate.
The judiciary, especially the General Court Martial, has proven to be nothing more than a sham. First under the notorious Gen. Andrew Guti, now under Brig. Gen. Robert Freeman Mugabe, the court has repeatedly delayed justice, playing the regime’s filthy games of psychological torture. The claims of ongoing investigations are laughable at best—who investigates for four years without producing evidence? The truth is simple: there was never any credible evidence against these political prisoners. But under Museveni’s dictatorship, innocence doesn’t matter. What matters is making an example out of anyone daring to challenge his decrepit rule.
And then comes the cowardly puppet, Balaam Barugahara—the regime’s errand boy—who somehow “persuaded” these NUP prisoners to plead guilty. His joyous announcement that he will now “persuade the court and President to pardon them” is as disgusting as it gets. Pardon them for what, exactly? For having the audacity to exist in Museveni’s Uganda as opposition supporters? It is evident that this entire charade was set up to force a false confession, a pathetic attempt by the regime to justify its human rights abuses. The military lawyer and sudden switch in legal representation only confirm this underhanded manipulation.
NUP’s Secretary General, David Lewis Rubongoya, is absolutely right when he said on X (formerly Twitter), “God willing, there will be time to account for all this abuse.” These victims were cornered, abused, and forced into admitting crimes they never committed, all while Museveni and his goons, like Balaam, sit on their high horses, mocking their suffering. It’s not just a miscarriage of justice—it’s the full rape of it.
While these 16 will serve a mere 3 months and 22 days, what of the remaining nine? These brave souls refused to bow to this farce and are now left languishing in prison with no end in sight. Museveni’s regime hopes they will eventually crack, just as it forced the others to do. But this fight isn’t over. The longer this dictatorship continues its reign of terror, the clearer it becomes: Museveni and his corrupt, military-run courts have no place in a free and fair Uganda. One day, the tables will turn, and justice will finally catch up with those who orchestrate and enforce these injustices.
For now, we must expose and condemn these crimes. The blood on the hands of Museveni and his military court will never be washed away, no matter how many sentences they impose or pardons they fake.
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