Soldiers jailed for shooting civilians

Mar 16, 2011

THREE UPDF soldiers serving in the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM)have been sentenced to 24 months in prison each for shooting civilians.

By Barbara Among

THREE UPDF soldiers serving in the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM)have been sentenced to 24 months in prison each for shooting civilians.

The soldiers were arrested in November last year and January, 2011 after shooting civilians in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.

The incidents took place in the streets between KM4 junction and Mogadishu International Airport.

Although the soldiers were tried and sentenced in Mogadishu, they have been sent to Makindye Military Police Detention Centre where they will serve their sentence.

The soldiers were charged with carelessness contrary to section 125 of the UPDF Act, 2005.

Under the terms of reference for troop-contributing countries within AMISOM, soldiers are disciplined by their own military operational laws.

Information indicates that the three were tried by the Unit Disciplinary Court in Mogadishu twice last month and were found guilty and sentenced to 24 months in detention.

AMISOM force commander Maj. Gen. Nathan Mugisha apologised for the unbecoming behaviour of his troops.

“These regrettable incidents have been fully investigated with the help of the civil police and medical authorities. The soldiers involved have faced the law and been punished. Their sentences illustrate that any acts of carelessness and irresponsibility will not be condoned or tolerated,” said Mugisha.

He, however, did not rule out a repeat of such incidents.

“Sadly, accidents such as these will occasionally happen. They are deeply regrettable and deplorable. I will always acknowledge them, apologise and take immediate action,” Mugisha added.

Meanwhile, two unidentified soldiers shot at and injured civilians in Mogadishu town last November. Reports show that at least two people died and more than 10 others were wounded in the incident involving AMISOM forces.

In January, another soldier was accused of opening fire on Mogadishu civilians, wounding at least four persons.

According to the AMISOM office in Mogadishu, the boards of inquiry conducted investigations into both incidents in liaison with the Somali civil police and civilian hospitals where the injured were taken. Witnesses were interviewed and evidence gathered.

“In both incidents, the boards
concluded that the soldiers involved acted recklessly and recommended that three soldiers should face a Unit Disciplinary Court,” said AMISOM spokesperson Maj. Barigye Ba-Hoku.

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