Kampala, (UG):- Muhydin Kakooza Sanya, a former prisoner and supporter of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), has publicly renounced the agreement that facilitated his release from prison, claiming he was coerced into pleading guilty to crimes he did not commit.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Sanya, who was pardoned by President Yoweri Museveni in November 2024, revealed that the charges of treachery and illegal possession of ammunition were fabricated.
“I terminate the agreement I made with the government because I have received countless phone calls from security agents asking me to reveal where I hid the guns and tanks that I supposedly accepted,” Sanya said, adding that his guilty plea, made alongside 18 other prisoners, was the result of immense pressure and suffering during his time behind bars.
“I want to make it clear to Ugandans that I did not commit the crimes I was charged with. We were coerced to plead guilty due to the unbearable conditions in jail. Ever since I was released, I have not known peace,” he explained.
The 18-member group, which included individuals such as Olivia Lutaaya, Katabi Swaibu, and Rashid Ssegujja, had been convicted of treachery and illegal possession of ammunition.
Nine other individuals who maintained their innocence, including high-profile figures like Yasin Ssekitoleko and Jimmy Galukande, remain incarcerated, having refused to admit guilt.
These prisoners were arrested in 2021 while campaigning for NUP’s presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, commonly known as Bobi Wine who has consistently labelled them as political prisoners and called for their immediate release.
Sanya’s statements have sparked further controversy, particularly his accusations against Dr Balaam Barugahara, the newly appointed Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs.
Minister Barugahara, whose appointment followed the pardon of the prisoners, previously pledged to advocate for the release of the jailed NUP supporters.
Despite Sanya alleging that Barugahara and fellow NRM supporter “Full Figure” pressured him to publicly discredit Bobi Wine that he uses political prisoners for personal gain, they (Balaam and Full Figure) have publicly denied being the middleman in the agreement made with the government.
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