Court martial orders UPDF soldier to defend himself

A Military Court has ordered a UPDF soldier who allegedly shot three people dead in Luzira in December to defend himself against the offence after 13 witnesses testified.

Col. Godfrey Kakama of the Division Court Martial, sitting at Luzira Church of Uganda Primary School ordered L/Cpl Herbert Rwakihembo to defend himself, saying he had a case to answer in connection with the December 10, 2012 shooting.

“This, however, does not mean that the accused person (Rwakihembo) is guilty. If no clear explanation comes from the accused, that means court will go on to give its judgment, basing on the evidence adduced by prosecution,” said Col. Kakama.

Cpl. Rwakihembo, 31, attached to Luzira Prison Military Detach, appeared before the court for further hearing of prosecution witnesses in alleged charges of murder and attempted murder amidst tight security.

Prosecution alleges that on December 10, at Kisenyi Zone 111, Luzira in Nakawa Division, Cpl. Rwakihembo shot and killed Irene Namuyaba Nakibirango, Zaina Nassolo Nalongo and Loyce Kawendeke, using an AK-47 sub-machine gun.

A total of 13 prosecution witnesses, comprising of the accused person’s workmates from the army, police investigators and senior government analyst, testified against the accused soldier.
Police investigators from Jinja Road Police Division; Mr John Peter Opio, a Detective Sergeant and the head of Homicide desk and Mr Moses Ntamuheza told the court that Cpl Rwakihembo confessed having shot and killed three people.

Court heard that the accused soldier had excellent discipline during his tenure.