4 Years And Counting: Olivia Lutaaya, 16 NUP Supporters Face More Jail Time
After four long years behind bars, Olivia Lutaaya and 16 fellow National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters thought their guilty plea would bring them closer to immediate freedom.
Instead, the General Court Martial sitting at Makindye, sentenced them to another three (3) months in prison and 22 days, on October 23rd, adding to their prolonged ordeal.
Olivia, a 32-year-old mother of two (2), has become the face of the group, earning admiration for her resilience in military detention.
However, her confession on October 14 sparked mixed reactions, with some welcoming it as a step toward resolution and others criticizing it as a sign of “submission.”
The Youth and Children Affairs Minister of State Balaam Barugahara’s involvement in the case has also raised eyebrows. His ‘olive branch’ offer to the detainees earned him praise from National Resistance Movement supporters but drew opposition from others.
Critics have since questioned the plea bargain’s value, arguing that unconditional release would have been ideal.
The journey to this point has been arduous. Olivia was violently arrested from her Namuwongo home in 2021 and detained incommunicado for weeks before facing the military court.
The court, chaired by Brigadier General Robert Mugabe, alleges the group possessed ammunition and explosive devices in various locations between 2020 and 2021.
Initially charged with illegal possession, they later faced treachery charges. However, the Constitutional Court ruled that civilians cannot be tried in military courts, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the proceedings.
Despite this, the Military court has secured convictions one by one. Olivia and over a dozen others pleaded guilty on October 14, after three years of resistance.
The sentence has sparked debate about justice, freedom, and the rule of law. Many wonder if this is the end of the road for Olivia and her fellow detainees or if there is still hope for appeal, or even attracting a “presidential pardon” under the prerogative of mercy window.
As the dust settles, attention turns to the next process. Will Olivia, and the 16 NUP supporters find justice, or will their ordeal continue?
Overall, the case has ignited conversations about the intersection of politics and justice. Some see the guilty plea as a strategic move, while others view it as a defeat.