On March 10, 2026, John Mary Ssebuwufu, deputy chairperson of the Election Management Committee for Uganda’s main opposition party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), was remanded in custody until March 24, 2026, following a hearing on his bail application at Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Background

Ssebuwufu, who also serves as a Lord Councillor and plays a key role in NUP’s 2026 general election preparations, was arrested on January 14, 2026, reportedly abducted from the Electoral Commission offices in Ntinda. Reports indicate he was held incommunicado for nearly three weeks before first appearing in court on February 6, 2026.

He faces charges of incitement to violence, which opposition sources and party officials describe as politically motivated, given his prominent role in election structures.

Court Proceedings

• Ssebuwufu has been detained at Luzira Prison since his arrest.
• Multiple previous court appearances resulted in repeated remands, citing ongoing investigations, document disputes, and prosecution requests for additional time.
• The March 24 hearing will decide whether he can be released on bail pending trial or continue in pre-trial detention. By that date, he will have been held for nearly three months.

Political Context

The case unfolds amid heightened political tensions following Uganda’s January 15, 2026 general elections, where NUP rejected the results declaring President Yoweri Museveni victorious, citing irregularities, intimidation, and repression.

Reports indicate numerous NUP members and supporters were arrested during and after the election period, with some still detained. Critics, including NUP officials and human rights advocates, view prolonged remands and delayed bail decisions as a form of judicial harassment targeting opposition figures. Social media campaigns such as #FreeAllPoliticalPrisoners have highlighted these concerns.

The outcome of the March 24 hearing will be closely watched, as it may set the tone for how opposition election officials are treated in ongoing legal and political proceedings.