Nakawa Court Grants Bail to NUP Official After 68 Days in Detention

Kampala, Uganda – Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court has granted bail to John Mary Ssebuwufu, the National Unity Platform (NUP) deputy chairperson and councillor, after 68 days in detention. The court set cash bail at 500,000 Ugandan shillings.

Ssebuwufu, 50, was arrested on 14th January this year on charges of inciting violence ahead of the general elections. He was initially held incommunicado for a month before being formally presented in court and remanded.

Opposition leaders, including NUP spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi, described the arrest as an abduction. Several previous bail applications had been rejected, making Tuesday’s ruling a significant development for the party.

The decision sparked celebrations among NUP members, though some noted that the bail came with strict conditions. The release underscores ongoing concerns over post-election detentions of opposition figures, amid claims that authorities are attempting to suppress dissent.

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Ssenyonyi reaffirmed the party’s commitment to advocating for the release of all political prisoners in Uganda, stating: “We shall continue to relentlessly pursue the freedom of all political prisoners and the freedom of our country.”