Soldiers captured on video brutalizing DP supporter charged
The army said following the unprofessional conduct of security operatives in executing an arrest of a suspect, that happened on October 18, 2018 along Colville street in Kampala, arrest and prosecution of the offenders was effected vide case number UDC/041/18 Uganda vs Cpl Ssenkungu Daniel and others
Five security officers attached to Uganda’s People Defence Forces (UPDF) who were on Thursday recorded on a video brutalizing a Uganda Young Democrats (UYD) member have been arrested and charged in court.
While appearing before the Mbuya based UPDF Unit Disciplinary Court chaired by Colonel Tom Kabuye, the five soldiers pleaded guilty to unprofessional conduct while executing arrest of Yusuf Kawooya on October 18.
They claimed Kawooya was violent and asked court for a lenient sentence for their offence, which, under the UPDF Act, is punishable by dismissal.
One of the suspects Cpl Daniel Ssenkungu who was captured hitting Kawooya with a butt said: “I’m requesting for a lenient sentence because I have three kids at home and they’re alone. The suspect was violent and h even bit my fingers. That’s why I reacted the way I did.”
The suspects at court. PHOTO BY UPDF ON FACEBOOK
Later, the army spokesperson issued a statement saying they regretted “this unfortunate incident and to assure the public that such conduct is unacceptable and anyone who breaks the law will be held to account and will be punished accordingly.”
It's not clear when court will give a final verdict on the case.
Meanwhile, Kawooya is being held over yet to be known charges.
