MP Kabaziguruka admitted to Kigo hospital

MP Mr Michael Kabaziguruka.

What you need to know:

Prosecution alleges that between May and June this year, the group and others still at large in diverse places in Wakiso, Luwero and Kampala districts with intent to prejudice the security of or interests of Uganda committed acts of treachery by infiltrating the defence forces and engaged themselves in war-like activities against the government.

KAMPALA.
Jailed Nakawa Division MP Mr Michael Kabaziguruka has been admitted at Kigo Prison Hospital, prison officials told court Tuesday.

Mr Kabaziguruka who was remanded jointly with 23 others for treason and other offences related to security was expected to appear before the General Court Martial for mention of their case.

Suspects arrive at the General Court Martial in Makindye. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa.

However, Kigo Prison officials told the General Court Martial at Makindye chaired by Lt Gen Andrew Gutti that the MP was sick and had been admitted at the prison’s clinic.

Mr Kabaziguruka, Mr Musa Lutwama and an Assistant Inspector of Police Mr Obulejo Ferdinand attached to the Counter Terrorism Squad in Naguru were remanded by the military court last month. The court also remanded the other suspects, who are soldiers, to to Makindye military barracks.

Prison warders jump off a military truck carrying the suspects. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa.

The soldiers are: Capt Andrew Ojaa, a junior officer attached to the Land Forces at Bombo, Cpl Geoffrey Idro attached to Military Police, Cpl Richard Odama attached to Nakasongola Air Defence Division, L/Cpl Drachiri Raymond (rifleman of Military Police at Makindye), L/Cpl Godfrey Inyani (Military Police at Makindye) and Obua Jacob (intelligence staff attached to Counter Intelligence Unit of the Camp Commandant at Bombo.

One of the suspects narrates his prison ordeal to court. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa.


Others are: Pte Christopher Omonyi (directorate of sports), Pte Amude Geoffrey (Land Forces at Bombo), Pte Shafik Masembe, AIP Obulejo Ferdinand, Bilal Asuman, Cpl Tibesigwa Emmanuel, Cpl Elweru Justine,Pte Angola Ibrahim, Pte Oonyu Ambrose, Pte Matagi James, Pte Achan Lucy, Pte Oguti Billy Paul, Namara Fredrick and Pte James Byamaka.

The suspect claimed that he was tortured while in jail, his finger nails were plucked out. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa.

Others are: Pte Tugume Benon, a resident of Kyabakazi village in Rakai District and Pte Namara Freddrick (retired).
At court, another suspect Felix Eluge, a mechanic in Kampala, was added onto the case file prompting the court to charge the suspects afresh.

However, the accused persons through their lawyer, Maj. Ronald Iduuli challenged the jurisdiction of the military court to try them.

Suspects follow court proceedings from their dock. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa.

According to Maj. Iduuli, Mr Obulejo is a police officer while Mr Namara ceased to be a soldier in 2003 when he was dismissed from the force, which makes him ineligible to be tried by the military court.
He added that the rest of the accused persons were given service numbers for duty in Somalia and their role ended there which makes them also ineligible for trial in the army court.

The state prosecutor Maj. Raphael Mugisha challenged to the submissions.
The army court directed both parties to file written submissions and further remanded the accused persons until August 2.