The National Unity Platform (NUP) has defended members who recently accepted plea bargain agreements with the state, saying their decisions were influenced by prolonged detention, repeated bail setbacks and the emotional burden of remaining in prison for extended periods.
The party said supporters who have taken plea deals should not be judged harshly or considered to have betrayed the movement, arguing that many were forced to make painful choices after spending long periods behind bars while waiting for their cases to be resolved.
The statement comes after three accused persons in a case involving NUP deputy spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro admitted to charges arising from an alleged military-style drill conducted at the party’s headquarters in February 2025.
The suspects, Sergio Yasin Sserugo, Farouk Baruku and Edwin Sserunkuma, were among several people charged over the alleged activities. Other accused persons in the same case include Edward Ssebufu, commonly known as Eddie Mutwe, Achileo Kivumbi, Saudah Madaada and Doreen Kaija.
NUP said its legal teams have continued efforts to secure the release of more than 150 supporters currently facing different charges, but claimed that some detainees became overwhelmed after spending months in custody without trial or successful bail applications.
The party argued that the decision by some members to enter plea bargains was not an acknowledgement of criminal responsibility but rather a survival choice aimed at ending prolonged incarceration. NUP said the circumstances surrounding their detention pushed them to consider any legal option that could restore their freedom.
The opposition party urged supporters to stand with those who accepted plea agreements instead of condemning them, while also recognising members who have chosen to remain in custody and continue challenging the charges against them.
NUP maintained that the ongoing cases against its supporters highlight broader concerns about access to justice, fair hearings and the right to bail. The party vowed to continue supporting its members involved in court battles while calling for their rights to be respected.
