KAMPALA.
By Joseph Kiggundu
The Lira Chief Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday released 12 National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters who were arrested during the 2026 presidential campaigns on charges of malicious damage to property and stealing fuel from police vehicles.
The released supporters are; Jamushid Kavuma, Liberty Lekuru, Mastula Nakabuye, Hope Nasozi, Regan Kamulegeya, Saluman Kagawa, Laston Waisua, Precious Paul Ssembusi, Isma Bukenya, Aloysious Lubega, Steven Katamba, and Ggayi Muzambirru.
“This matter coming up for final disposal on March 3, 2026, before H/W Jane Tibagonzeka, Senior Principal Magistrate Grade 1, in the presence of Miss Esther Zawedde for the state and in the presence of Counsel Ponsiano Okello, Awilo Jonathan, and Andrew Eedu Okurut for the accused persons, and in the presence of the accused persons, it is ordered that all are acquitted,” the court order statement reads in part.
The accused were arrested during the campaigns of Robert Kyagualnyi, alias Bobi Wine, the NUP presidential candidate in the Lango sub-region.
Prosecution alleged that the accused persons stole a laptop, a bag containing clothes, and 40 litres of diesel fuel from motor vehicle registration number UP 4816, the property of D/SSP Julius Isabirye, and also willfully and unlawfully damaged a motor vehicle registration number UP 4816, the property of Uganda Police.
Jonathan Eluto, one of the NUP lawyers, applauded the court ruling granting the NUP supporters their constitutional rights, calling on other courts to also release the remaining supporters.
“The evidence clearly showed that there was no case; the state did not bring witnesses to pin our people to have committed the offences,” he said.