The National Unity Platform (NUP) has called for the immediate release of its West Nile coordinators, Angulibo Siraj and Andama Hamuza, who have been detained since November 2023. The demand follows a recent Supreme Court decision declaring the trial of civilians in military courts unconstitutional.
Siraj and Hamuza were arrested in November 2023 and subsequently detained at various military facilities, including the Gulu Military Barracks and the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) in Mbuya. On February 26, 2024, they were charged with treachery and unlawful possession of ammunition before the Military Court at Makindye and have since been remanded at Kigo Prison.
NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya highlighted their prolonged detention and emphasised that, in light of the Supreme Court's ruling, their continued imprisonment is unlawful. He stated, "We demand their unconditional release in compliance with the Supreme Court decision."
The Supreme Court's decision, delivered on January 31, 2025, declared that military courts lack jurisdiction to try civilians and ordered an immediate halt to all such ongoing prosecutions. The ruling mandates that these cases be transferred to civilian courts.
From when the judgement was made, responsible government units including prisons, military and the office of the attorney general have remained dumbfounded over the matter.
Yesterday (03rd February) lawyers the Dr. Kiiza Besigye and Obeid Lutale, some of the victims of the court martial stromed the prisons office demanding for the immediate release of their clients only to be told they were awaiting communications from the attorney general.