The Kawempe Chief Magistrate's Court has dismissed charges of being a public nuisance against a group of National Unity Platform (NUP) members who were arrested ahead of the March 13, 2025 Kawempe North parliamentary by-election.
The ruling was delivered by Magistrate Damali Agumasimwe, who found that the prosecution had failed to present sufficient and credible evidence to sustain the charges.
In her judgment, Agumasimwe noted that the court could not rely on allegations that were not properly substantiated, effectively bringing the case to a close.
The accused group included former Makindye East MP Allan Ssewanyana and Kyadondo East MP Bobi Wine, alongside other NUP supporters arrested during a political gathering at the party headquarters in Kavule, Kampala.
Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn
During the proceedings, the defence argued that the arrests were unjustified and politically motivated, maintaining that the accused were lawfully engaged in political activity.
"We maintain that our clients were exercising their constitutional rights and should not have been subjected to arrest under such circumstances," the defence team submitted.
The prosecution had alleged that the group caused public disorder and created a nuisance in a public space. However, the defence challenged the evidence presented, arguing that it did not meet the legal threshold for criminal liability.
Following the ruling, supporters of the National Unity Platform welcomed the decision, saying it reaffirmed the importance of protecting political freedoms and due process.
A party representative said the outcome was a relief to the accused, adding that it demonstrated that "political participation should not be criminalised."
The case had attracted significant public attention due to allegations of excessive force during the arrests by security personnel in the lead-up to the by-election, a period marked by heightened political tension.
Legal observers say the ruling may contribute to ongoing debates about the conduct of security agencies during electoral processes and the treatment of opposition politicians in Uganda.
