Bobi Wine responds to Museveni pardon promise for jailed NUP youths

Museveni said on Wednesday that he was ready to pardon only the incarcerated youths who participated in the protests but not those who took part in other capital offenses.

Speaking at a press conference, Bobi Wine said the NUP was not begging the president to pardon its members because they never committed any offense.

"We want freedom for all political prisoners…we are not begging Museveni for our people’s freedom,' Bobi Wine charged.

"To you Balaam and all of Museveni’s sycophants, Museveni is not God; he is not the law. He is also supposed to be under the law."

He added, "We don't beg for our rights; we demand our rights which are provided by God and guaranteed by the constitution."

The President made the pledge at the swearing-in ceremony of the six newly appointed ministers who were vetted and approved by the parliamentary Appointments Committee on Monday 25th March,2024.

Museveni was asked during the event to give a second chance to the NUP youth, by Balaam Barugahara, the new Minister of State for Children and Youth Affairs.

“We can look into the cases of people who were burning tyres on our roads and those who beat up people,” said the President.

“But those who are accused of capital offences such as murders, it will be hard to set them free.”

Museveni also stressed that the suspects would be released on condition that they promise never again to take part in such criminality since government uses a lot of money to put up such infrastructure and protect lives of Ugandans.

The swearing-in ceremony was presided over by the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Ms. Lucy Nakyobe and witnessed by President Museveni.

The new ministers include, the Minister of State for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hon. Lillian Aber, the Minister of State for Northern Uganda, Dr. Kenneth Omona and the Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs, Hon. Florence Wamala Nambozo.

Others are, the Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development in charge of Minerals, Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro, the Minister of State for Trade, Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi and the Minister of State for the youth and children, Hon. Balaam Barugahara.