The defence team is considering an appeal, saying the accused were the victims of “injustice”, lawyer Shamin Malende told AFP.

However, she said the court ruled that the sentence actually served would be reduced to three months and 22 days because of the years already spent behind bars on remand.

The prosecution alleged that the 16 members of the main opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), as well as others still on the run, were found in possession of explosives between November 2020 and May 2021, while elections were underway.

They had all pleaded guilty to the charges but NUP leader Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, claimed they had been forced to plead in this manner and seek a presidential pardon.

“We are reviewing all the options including an appeal because all what has happened to them is injustice and we can’t allow injustice to prevail over innocent people,” Malende said.

Uganda has been ruled with an iron fist by President Yoweri Museveni since 1986, and Wine and his NUP have often been targeted by the authorities.

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© Agence France-Presse