KAMPALA – The trial in which 23 people – accused of treachery and murder of four police officers from Mityana and Kiboga districts failed to throw-off at the Uganda People’s Defense Forces General Court Martial in Makindye on Tuesday.
The suspects include, Issa Kizito alias Commander Muto, Stuart Lugendo, Savio Paul, Julius Mulinda, Muhammad Nyanzi Makumbi, Godfrey Agodri, and Paul Lyamuremye.
Others are Alex Bogere, Bob Robert Ssenyonga, John Masembe, Faizo Miti, Hakim Ssenyonjo, Sylvester Matovu, Derick Kawuma, Tonny Ssekayombya, Sam Sengonzi Lwanga, Tonny Sseguya, Robert Wamala, Joram Gamwosi, Benon Kisekka, Kasim Kibirango Muwanga and Arthur Ndawula.
It is alleged that between November and December 2021, the suspects and others still at large as agents of the Uganda National Coalition – UNC, recruited people and attacked security installations for purposes prejudicial to the security of Uganda.
Prosecution avers that the suspects committed the crimes of accused of treachery and murder in the districts of Mityana, Kiboga and Wakiso. Court also heard that the accused persons and others still at large on December 7, 2021, while at Ssebobo village in Mityana district caused the death of Cpl Alfred Okech and PC Moses Kigongo and took off with their firearms, each containing 30 rounds of ammunition.
When the group appeared before the Chairman of the Court Martial, Brig Gen Robert Freeman Mugabe – Lt Alex Mukwana – who led the prosecution team asked the court to adjourn the case to April 4, 2023 – claiming that the scene of crime officers – SOCO who were key witnesses in the case were absent.
But the suspects’ lawyer Capt Simon Nsubuga Busagwa told court that it was unfair for the case to be adjourned three times.
Brig Mugabe ordered the prosecution to produce the key witnesses the next time the matter comes to court. He also objected to Mukwana’s request to adjourn the case to April 4 – which created room for both the prosecution and defence teams to agree on March 15 as the date for hearing of the case.
