Ms. Olivia Lutaaya, a supporter of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party, has shared her harrowing experience of arrest, imprisonment, and eventual pardon after spending nearly four years in jail.

Ms. Lutaaya, along with 18 other NUP supporters, was accused of treachery and unlawful possession of explosives. They were convicted by the General Court Martial in Kampala but were granted a presidential pardon by President Museveni on November 22, 2024.

In an interview conducted by Peter Serugo and transcribed by Damalie Mukhaye, Ms. Lutaaya revealed how she was lured into a trap that led to her arrest.

The Arrest

On May 10, 2021, Ms. Lutaaya received a phone call from an unknown number, claiming a friend of hers had committed a crime and that her presence at the police station was needed to provide assistance. Suspecting no foul play, she agreed to meet the caller at Kanyogoga Police Station. However, upon her arrival, she was immediately arrested.

“They put me in a van and told me they were taking me to the Central Police Station (CPS) in Kampala,” Ms. Lutaaya recounted. Little did she know, this marked the beginning of a nearly four-year ordeal.

Imprisonment and Forced Confession

Ms. Lutaaya described the distressing conditions she endured while in custody. She alleged that she was coerced into confessing to crimes she did not commit under the hope of securing her freedom. “I was forced to confess to charges of treachery and unlawful possession of explosives. It was a desperate attempt to regain my liberty,” she said.

Together with her co-accused, Ms. Lutaaya was sentenced by the army court, a move that drew criticism from human rights organizations and opposition groups who argued that their trial was politically motivated.

Presidential Pardon

After spending nearly four years in detention, President Yoweri Museveni pardoned Ms. Lutaaya and the 18 others on November 22, 2024. The pardon was welcomed by the NUP, which has long maintained that the charges against their supporters were baseless and part of a broader campaign to suppress dissent.

Ms. Lutaaya has now become a prominent face of those who endured similar trials, symbolizing resilience in the face of political oppression. Her story has sparked renewed calls for judicial reforms and accountability for alleged abuses in the criminal justice system.

As she adjusts to life outside prison, Ms. Lutaaya hopes her story will inspire change and encourage others to speak out against injustices.

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