An imprisoned opposition activist from Uganda's National Unity Platform named Yasin Ssekitoleko, nicknamed Machete, has ended his 16-day hunger strike. He was protesting his continued detention despite a Supreme Court ruling that declared the General Court Martial, which originally sentenced him, illegal.
Machete was among 28 NUP supporters arrested in Kalangala District during a campaign trail for party leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine) back in 2021. They faced charges of possessing bullets and were subsequently tried by a military court. The NUP consistently argued these charges were fabricated and labeled the supporters as political prisoners.
Last November, government officials offered the group a deal: plead guilty to treachery and illegal ammunition possession to receive a presidential pardon. Nineteen accepted the offer and were eventually pardoned by President Yoweri Museveni. However, nine, including Machete, refused, maintaining the charges were politically motivated.
The Supreme Court's January ruling declared military trials of civilians illegal and ordered all such cases transferred to civilian courts. Despite this landmark decision, no cases were moved, which prompted Machete's hunger strike. NUP Secretary-General David Lewis Rubongoya announced that Machete suspended his protest as a gift to his worried mother after doctors warned of potential permanent organ damage. He continues to demand justice and appreciates public support for him and other political prisoners.
Machete was among 28 NUP supporters arrested in Kalangala District during a campaign trail for party leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine) back in 2021. They faced charges of possessing bullets and were subsequently tried by a military court. The NUP consistently argued these charges were fabricated and labeled the supporters as political prisoners.
Last November, government officials offered the group a deal: plead guilty to treachery and illegal ammunition possession to receive a presidential pardon. Nineteen accepted the offer and were eventually pardoned by President Yoweri Museveni. However, nine, including Machete, refused, maintaining the charges were politically motivated.
The Supreme Court's January ruling declared military trials of civilians illegal and ordered all such cases transferred to civilian courts. Despite this landmark decision, no cases were moved, which prompted Machete's hunger strike. NUP Secretary-General David Lewis Rubongoya announced that Machete suspended his protest as a gift to his worried mother after doctors warned of potential permanent organ damage. He continues to demand justice and appreciates public support for him and other political prisoners.
