The National Unity Platform (NUP) has welcomed the release of its supporter Agaba Anthony, popularly known as Bobi Young, after spending more than two years in detention.
NUP Secretary General David Rubongoya announced Bobi Young’s release, describing it as a significant moment for the opposition party as it continued to call for the release of other political detainees.
In a statement, Rubongoya expressed relief at the return of the NUP supporter, while also revisiting the circumstances surrounding his detention.
“Very pleased to welcome back our comrade Agaba Anthony aka Bobi Young from detention,” Rubongoya said.
According to the NUP secretary general, Bobi Young was abducted on May 23, 2024, and had remained in detention since then. Rubongoya alleged that the circumstances surrounding his detention raised serious concerns about the legal process that followed.
He claimed that efforts to secure justice through legal channels had failed before Bobi Young eventually appeared before a military court.
“Bobi Young was violently abducted on 23rd May 2024 and has been detention since,” Rubongoya stated.
Rubongoya further alleged that Bobi Young was pressured into pleading guilty to offences he did not commit. He criticised the handling of the case and questioned the legal processes that led to the conviction.
“After an absolute failure of all legal processes, he was pushed into pleading guilty to crimes he did not commit before the military court,” he said.
The NUP official did not provide details in the statement on the circumstances of Bobi Young’s release, the charges he faced, or whether any court orders were issued before his detention ended.
His release comes amid continued calls from Uganda’s opposition groups for the authorities to account for the detention and prosecution of political activists and supporters.
Rubongoya used the announcement to renew the party’s demand for the release of other individuals it considers political prisoners.
“We welcome him back and continue to demand for the freedom of all political prisoners!” he said.
The NUP has previously raised concerns over the treatment of its supporters facing criminal and military proceedings, while government authorities have maintained that individuals facing charges are subject to the law and due process.