There is fresh hope for the opposition, especially supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP), after Hon. Yusuf Nsibambi announced that about 80 jailed opposition youths are set to be released.
Nsibambi revealed that the breakthrough followed his second meeting with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Speaking at the weekly press conference of the Uganda Law Society in Kampala, the outgoing Mawokota South Member of Parliament said his discussions with the President focused on easing tensions after the January elections. He explained that the goal was to find a peaceful way to resolve post-election grievances.
The 15 January 2026 general election was highly contested, leading to arrests of many young people across the country.
According to Nsibambi, many of those detained were youths accused of participating in election-related unrest.
Nsibambi said that he presented a list of detained young men and women to the President.
He added that Museveni described them as “misguided” but expressed willingness to release them under certain conditions.
“We have a list of these young men and women whom the president refers to as misguided,” Nsibambi told journalists.
He further stated that nearly 80 detainees could soon regain their freedom if there are no legal or political obstacles.
However, the release comes with a condition. Nsibambi explained that the President’s offer is based on his constitutional prerogative of mercy. For this to happen, the detainees must admit that they were misled.
He urged lawyers not to complicate the process with technical arguments. According to him, the President cannot exercise mercy unless there is an acknowledgment from the detainees that they were misled during the political process.
Nsibambi specifically appealed to legal representatives to avoid demanding government apologies or raising procedural barriers. He emphasized that the focus should be on securing the youths’ freedom as quickly as possible.
“Let them just come out and say ‘we were misled’ and that’s it,” Nsibambi said, stressing that such an admission would pave the way for their immediate release.
The development has been welcomed as good news, especially for NUP supporters. The party claims it has compiled a list of more than 600 young people who were arrested in different parts of the country during and after the elections.
If the first group of 80 detainees is released, it could mark the beginning of a broader reconciliation process.
Political observers say this move may help reduce tensions that have lingered since the elections.
Nsibambi also revealed that he met with members of the Executive and confirmed that the release process is already being discussed at high levels of government.
In addition to the issue of political detainees, Nsibambi addressed the situation of Isaac Ssemakadde, the President of the Uganda Law Society. Ssemakadde has reportedly been living outside Uganda for several months.
He left the country following an international arrest warrant issued after he failed to attend court proceedings related to allegations of insulting judicial officers.
Nsibambi acknowledged Ssemakadde’s absence and expressed support for him.
He said that wherever Ssemakadde is, members of the Uganda Law Society salute him and recognize his leadership.
He encouraged Ssemakadde to return to Uganda and personally appeal to President Museveni. Nsibambi believes that dialogue could help resolve the matter peacefully.
According to him, many members of the Uganda Law Society currently feel “like orphans” without their president guiding legal advocacy on important national matters.
The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the 80 youths will indeed walk free.
For now, Nsibambi’s announcement has brought renewed hope to many families and supporters who have been waiting for good news.
