In Uganda, opposition members found guilty

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00:00Staying with Uganda, the country's main opposition claims that the guilty verdict of 16 of its members

00:04accused of treachery followed only after they were forced to confess to the charges.

00:10They had already spent four years in jail following arrest in 2021, ahead of 2021's

00:16presidential election. Our regional correspondent Clemer de Roma tells us more.

00:2216 activists from the National Unity Platform have been sentenced by Kempele's General Court

00:28Marshal for treachery and illegal possession of explosives. This case dates back to 2020 and 2021

00:35when these opposition members were arrested ahead of the presidential elections. The activists

00:41supported Bobby Wine, the main challenger to President Yoweri Museveni, and they've already

00:45spent three to four years in detention. According to authorities, the group was found with banned

00:51explosives at various locations around the country where Bobby Wine was campaigning. Wine himself was

00:57arrested just before the elections, sparking protests met with a heavy crackdown by security

01:03forces that left around 50 people dead. Bobby Wine and the defense attorney claim the accused were

01:09forced to plead guilty and seek a presidential pardon. Initially the 16 pleaded not guilty but

01:15they changed their plea recently. Their prison sentences are expected to be announced this week.

01:21This verdict comes as the National Unity Platform is actively organizing for the

01:262026 elections where Bobby Wine is expected to challenge Museveni once again.

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