NUP supporters battle ‘red eyes as trial continues in Court Martial

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | At least eight out of 32 National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters facing trial in the General Court Martial in Makindye failed to appear in court on Monday due to the contagious ‘red eye’ disease.

The accused are charged with unlawful possession of explosive devices. On Monday, they were expected to return to court for the prosecution to present additional witnesses.

However, during the roll call before the court, presided over by a seven-member panel led by Chairperson Brigadier Robert Mugabe, some accused individuals were absent.

These individuals are Rashid Segujja, Abdu Matovu, Sharif Kalanzi, Musa Kavuma, Jimmy Galukande, Paul Muwanguzi, Sharif Matovu, and Livingston Katushabe.

Assistant Superintendent of Prisons Nsenga informed the court that the group could not appear today because they were undergoing treatment for the contagious eye disease. According to the accused’s lawyer, George Musisi, journalists were not allowed to access the court.

Our reporter has learned from sources that there is a standing order preventing prisoners with the contagious red-eye disease from being taken to court. Initially, the accused were a group of 32 people, but four were granted bail last month, leaving 28 on trial. The remaining suspects have made two unsuccessful bail applications since then.

The accused were arrested by CMI operatives after the police accused them of plotting petrol bomb attacks targeting government vehicles and buildings across the country.

Police claimed the suspects masterminded attacks on Kasubi Royal Tombs, former Jinja resident city commissioner Eric Sakwa in Nakulabye, Uganda Registration Services Bureau, and Katwe Police Station, among others. They were reportedly planning to block President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni from being sworn in for his sixth term of office.

The prosecution had lined up Sakwa as one of the witnesses to testify on Monday. In 2021, the Constitutional Court, in a 3-2 judgment, ruled that it was illegal to try civilians in military courts and ordered that existing cases and trials be transferred to civilian courts.