Eight supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) have been convicted by the Luwero Grade One Magistrate Court for taking part in riots that rocked Luwero Town Council last month. The convicts are among 36 people arrested after protests erupted at around 7:00 pm on January 15, 2026, when security personnel blocked voters from accessing Luwero Islamic Primary School polling station, where vote tallying was ongoing.
They were first arraigned before the court on January 20 and pleaded not guilty to the charge of taking part in a riot. The court remanded them to February 3 and 4, 2026, as they sought bail. However, when 19 of the accused reappeared before Magistrate Christopher Adyeeri Tindyeebwa on Tuesday evening, some opted to change their earlier plea.
Eight accused persons—Emmanuel Lukwago, Ismail Ssenyonga, Godfrey Katumba, Eric Kamoga, Musa Kiiza, Godfrey Ssenoga, Mawejje Ivan, and Julius Kamezire—pleaded guilty. State Attorney Racheal Kirabo told the court that between January 15 and 17, 2026, the accused participated in riots in Binyonyi and other parts of Luwero Town Council, contrary to Section 62 of the Penal Code Act.
Kirabo said the group was found burning tyres and mounting roadblocks along the Kampala–Gulu highway, disrupting traffic before police and UPDF soldiers intervened to disperse and arrest them. She asked the court to impose a deterrent but reasonable sentence, noting that the riots disturbed public peace, endangered road users, and involved young people who should instead engage in productive activities.
Through their lawyer, Irene Akol, the convicts pleaded for leniency, citing that they were first-time offenders, pleaded guilty without wasting the court’s time, and had families to support. The defence asked the court to consider community service. The magistrate remanded the eight to Monday, February 9, 2026, for sentencing. Another group of nine accused persons also indicated willingness to change their plea to guilty.
The magistrate, however, advised them to first engage in plea-bargain negotiations with the prosecution, explaining that this allows the court to impose an agreed-upon sentence. He cautioned that those who contest the charges risk harsher punishment if found guilty after trial. Through their lawyer, Paul Luyimbazi, the nine agreed to enter plea bargain talks with the State Attorney.
They include Bright Musinguzi, Musa Oketcho, Magid Musisi Luyimbazi, Kalungi Ssaka, Kakumba Ramathan, Kisawe Shafik, Mwesigwa Isma, Ssemakula Hassan, and Kasamba Hassan. Two accused persons—Denis Bwabye and Kisuze Charles—chose to maintain their not guilty pleas and to pursue bail.
Magistrate Adyeeri Tindyeebwa remanded all the accused to February 9, 2026, when he will sentence those who pleaded guilty, confirm plea bargain agreements, and rule on bail applications. He also ordered that the remaining 17 accused persons be remanded to the same date. Luwero District Woman MP Brenda Nabukenya, who had come to court with relatives intending to stand surety, expressed concern, saying some accused persons pleaded guilty out of fear.
She said many were arrested while walking home and had no prior criminal record.“They pleaded guilty mainly to secure their freedom, not necessarily because they committed the offence,” Nabukenya said. During the riots, three people were shot dead. The victims were identified as Sarah Nagayi, 36, of Kikubajinja; Ibrahim Sserubiri, 18, from Mabbale Zone; and Robert Sseninde of Lumu Zone.
Protests also flared the following day over delays in announcing parliamentary election results, but security forces swiftly quelled the demonstrations.
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