The opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) has defended its supporters who have recently pleaded guilty to criminal charges or entered plea bargain arrangements, saying the 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 following a number of cases involving party supporters changing their pleas while on remand, NUP said it does not encourage members to incriminate themselves but understands the difficult circumstances that have pushed some detainees to pursue plea agreements as a means of regaining their freedom.
The party attributed the trend to what it described as an increasingly restrictive approach towards granting bail, linking it to recent remarks by President Yoweri Museveni urging judicial officers to be cautious when releasing opposition suspects.
During a televised national address last Saturday, President Museveni said courts should consider the potential impact of granting bail to suspects facing serious charges, including the possibility of interference with witnesses and ongoing investigations.
The President has previously criticised the granting of bail to suspects accused of capital offences, arguing that public safety and the integrity of investigations should be given priority.
NUP cited the case of its former presidential candidate, Dr Kizza Besigye, as an example of the prolonged detention faced by opposition figures. Besigye has spent close to two years on remand after courts declined to grant him bail.
The party argued that for some detainees, pleading guilty has become the only realistic legal option to secure release after spending extended periods in custody without trial.
According to NUP, several supporters have remained on remand for years while facing what the party describes as politically motivated charges, with limited prospects of obtaining bail.
The opposition party maintained that a guilty plea in such circumstances should not automatically be interpreted as confirmation that the alleged offences were committed, but rather as a reflection of the pressure and hardship associated with prolonged incarceration.
NUP further claimed that more than 150 of its supporters remain in detention over what it describes as fabricated charges.
The party says some of those detained were arrested during the 2021 general election period, while others were taken into custody following the January 2026 elections.
The government has previously maintained that individuals facing criminal charges are prosecuted based on evidence before courts of law and that the judiciary operates independently in determining bail applications and criminal matters.
By Charles Katabalwa
10th July 2026
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