The Uganda People’s Defence Forces ‘UPDF’ Court martial of the 1st infantry Division, has charged 8 UPDF and LDU personnel of different criminal offences.
The seven member court, under the chairmanship of Col. Sam Mugyenyi, heard cases that ranged from man slaughter, careless shooting while in operation, failure to protect war materials all deemed capital offences by the UPDF Act.
LDU AX 012029 Asuman Juma Musuya was charged with man slaughter. Court heard that, on the 25th Jul 19, while cleaning his gun, Musuya failed to take necessary safety precaution leading to killing of his fellow LDU Atanansi Mumuli. The accused, accepted the charges and was convicted on his own plea. He was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment,starting from the date of his arrest.
Another LDU AX 013908, Kirungi Sadik of Kira was charged with failing to protect war materials under section 122 of the UPDF Act. He pleaded guilty of the charges and was convicted on his own plea. Court heard that, on the 10th Dec 19, Kirungi Sadik’s firing pin and bolt were found missing from his gun, thus the offence.
The Defence lawyer, prayed for a lenient sentence since Kiringi was a first offender, did not waste court’s time and was remorseful of his act.
On his part, the convict pleaded that he had a pregnant wife and was the sole bread winner for the family. He pleaded for a lenient sentence. In consideration of the above, court sentenced him to 6 months’ detention starting from the day of conviction.
LDU AX 015479 Ntabakirapose John, was charged with desertion, a capital offence under the section 146 of UPDF Act of 2005. He denied charges and was remanded until the 26th May 2020.
Similarly, RA/221596, Pte. Bogere Kigoma Pius, was also charged under the same section. He accepted the charges.
State prosecutor, Capt Pigan Mugisha pleaded to court that the convict be given a deterrent sentence. On his part, the defence council Mrs. Kensiime Merian mitigated that Bogere was a first offender, he did not desert with a weapon and was the sole bread winner for the family. She therefore, pleaded for a lenient sentence. After a careful and lengthy deliberation, with consideration of mitigating factors, court sentenced him to 15 months’ detention from the date of his arrest.
Others charged were, RA/204330 Pte. Kabwana Jimmy, for careless shooting in operation against Section 125 of the UPDF Act. While LDU AX 016343 Olingi Joseph, was charged with obtaining registration by false pretense under Section 312 of the penal cord Act. He denied the charges and was remanded until 26th May 2020.
Of recent the Division Court Martial, sits regularly to hear both service and none service offences.
According to the 1st Division Commander Maj Gen. Samuel Kawagga, the court sittings are part of the deliberate efforts to ensure discipline in the force. “We continue to use all means at our disposal to ensure that we maintain our norms, traditions and culture that have always defined us”.
He maintained that, they will ensure professionalism and discipline through continuous training, mentoring and taking administrative action in addition to legal action to maintain a disciplined force.
