Four soldiers dismissed with disgrace over Kabamba barracks attack
Lt Gen Andrew Gutti who chairs the Army Court on Tuesday ordered for the dismissal of the soldiers from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) citing gravity of the offence and prejudicing the security of the whole country. FILE PHOTO
What you need to know:
- The state alleges that between February and May 2014, in the various areas of Kampala, Masaka, Wakiso, Luweero and Nairobi-Kenya, Lt Col Eguma, Capt Aleper, Lt Waibi, Pte Sekajja, and others, omitted to disclose vital information about recruitment of people to engage into activities intended to prejudice the security of the defence forces by attacking Armoured Warfare Training School in Mubende.
KAMPALA. Four soldiers who were convicted in connection with the 2014 botched attack on Kabamba Army Barracks in Mubende District have been dismissed from the army with disgrace.
The General Court Martial sitting at Makindye dismissed the soldiers; Lt Col Philip Frank Eguma, Capt Hillman Bosco Aleper, formerly of the Armoured Warfare Training School in Mubende, Lt Ronald Waibi Mwavu, a junior officer formerly from the 4th Division and Pte Kenneth Sekajja, formerly of Air Defence in Nakasongola.
Lt Gen Andrew Gutti who chairs the Army Court on Tuesday ordered for the dismissal of the soldiers from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) citing gravity of the offence and prejudicing the security of the whole country.
"The accused persons are indeed first time offenders. Court does not ordinarily send first time offenders for long imprisonment sentences unless so compelled by peculiar circumstances of the case. The convicts' conduct prejudiced the security of not only the defence forces but also the country. In our view this amounts to peculiar circumstances that tilt the court to award a long imprisonment sentence,” Gen Gutti held.
Dismissal by disgrace, according to officials at the Army Court implies that the convicted soldiers shall not qualify for any terminal benefits and or certificate despite their term of service in the army.
Last month, the dismissed soldiers pleaded guilty to the accusations in regard to offences relating to security in connection with the alleged botched attack on Kabamba Army Barracks in Mubende District.
Through their lawyer, Lt Brian Moogi, the soldiers pleaded to army court for a lenient sentence because they are remorse.
Lt Col Philip Frank Eguma, one of the four soldiers who have been dismissed with digrace by the army court over 2014 botched attack on Kabamba Army Barracks in Mubende District. PHOTO BY MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI
They were jointly charged with; Mr Marvin Ssemwogerere Mulongo, Mr Ndugga Musaazi, Rtd Capt John Bosco Rutwama, Mr Ali Mukiibi a retired air force pilot, Mr Lumala Salongo (businessman), Mr Francis Kiwanuka, Francis Kaheru Kiwanuka (businessman), Solomon Matovu (businessman), Peter Kibirige (electrician) and Patrick Kibuuka (casual worker).
Prosecution case:
The state alleges that between February and May 2014, in the various areas of Kampala, Masaka, Wakiso, Luweero and Nairobi-Kenya, Lt Col Eguma, Capt Aleper, Lt Waibi, Pte Sekajja, and others, omitted to disclose vital information about recruitment of people to engage into activities intended to prejudice the security of the defence forces by attacking Armoured Warfare Training School in Mubende.
