Fourteen remanded over Gulu attack
The accused appear at the General Court Martial in Makindye yesterday. PHOTO BY MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI
What you need to know:
Background. In May and June, gunmen attacked and raided Opit Army Detach and Central Police Station killing and injuring security officers.
Kampala. Fourteen people, among them three junior soldiers of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have been remanded in connection with the alleged attack on Gulu Army Detach and Gulu Central Police Station.
In May and June, gunmen attacked and raided Opit Army Detach and Central Police Station both in Gulu District killing and injuring security officers.
The accused persons were charged before the Military Court on offences of treachery. They are also charged with the murder of two soldiers at the army detach, two police officers at Gulu Central Police Station and causing grievous harm to four people.
Those charged are L/Cpl Simon Mugisha attached to Makindye Military Police, Pte Akina Ophine Kasamba alias Jaimoro Opio Nickson a watchman/ builder of Zika Zone, Kawuku Entebbe in Wakiso District, Agenurwoth Collins Odori, a private guard with Jamal resident of Katende Zone in Nakawa Division, Maditrowth Vincent a private guard resident of Kyebando in Kawempe Division and Lukwiya Kakonick a peasant resident of Pawat Omeru in Nwoya District.
Others are Richard Okech a boda boda rider of Leb-Ngek in Nwoya, Alfred Odongpiny a boda boda rider of Kal-atoocon village in Nwoya, Geoffrey Komakech a peasant in Nwoya, Charles Onen (Nwoya), Richard Onen alias Munu Opegu boda boda rider of Gulu, Opio Thomas Opiyo peasant from Gulu, Vincent Ochola Ocen alias Okema Denis, a casual labourer from Kitgum District and Pte Okidi Fred Opio Layika attached to papa Batallion under 5th Division.
They all denied the charges before Makindye General Court Martial chaired by Lt Gen Andrew Gutti. They were remanded until August 30 after the state told court that inquiries into the matter were still ongoing.
The charges
Prosecution alleges that on May 27 with intent to prejudice the security of the country, the group infiltrated and attacked the defence forces at Opit Army Detach in Gulu. The state also alleges that on June 12, the same group with intent to prejudice the security of the defence forces attacked Gulu Central Police Station.
