Sejusa protests trial before military court

Jailed former coordinator of Intelligence Services David Sejusa.

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Contradictory. Gen Sejusa says his status as to whether he is still a serving officer is yet to be determined by the High Court

Kampala.

Jailed former coordinator of Intelligence Services David Sejusa has protested the trial before the military court alleging that it has no authority to hear the case due to a pending application before a civil court.

Last year, Gen Sejusa petitioned the High Court, asking it to determine whether or not he is still a serving officer and, therefore, subject to military law.

He is seeking court declarations that he was constructively discharged from the army by his employer (UPDF).
But last Tuesday, Gen Sejusa was remanded to Luzira prison on five different charges, including participating in partisan politics, absconding from duty and insubordination, contrary to the military law.

Pending judgment
In the application filed before the General Court Martial in Makindye last Friday, Gen Sejusa states that the charge sheet to the effect that he is subject to military law of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) Act, is not correct because his status as to whether he is still a serving officer is yet to be determined by the Kampala High Court.

Through his lawyers, the renegade general wants the military court to stay the proceedings, saying “before then, the charge sheet cannot categorically classify the accused as a person subject to military law and, therefore, amenable to trial by military courts.”
“Rule of law, to which Uganda aspires, enjoins organs of the state to act in harmony to obviate disorder. It is necessary that the High Court determines the issue of the status of the accused before the General Court Martial entertains the criminal charges against the accused,” he says.

The military court chaired by Maj Gen Levi Karuhanga remanded Gen Sejusa until tomorrow for hearing of the application challenging its powers and for bail.

In the application for bail, Gen Sejusa, 61, says he is of advanced age and cannot handle the harsh conditions of prison life.