Senior UPDF officer remanded for allegedly breaking security rules
The offence of interfering with the process of the law attracts a maximum jail term not exceeding seven years, upon conviction.
In the dock before the General Court Martial (GCM) at Makindye in Kampala is RO/12378 Major JB Habyarimana, accused of interfering with the process of the law and unauthorised use of vehicles. (Credit: Douglas Mubiru)
_________________
The General Court Martial at Makindye in Kampala has charged and remanded a senior Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier on allegations of interfering with the process of the law, also known as obstruction of justice.
GCM chairperson Brig. Gen. Richard Tukachungurwa read RO/12378 Maj. JB Habyarimana’s two counts of interfering with the process of the law, and unauthorised use of vehicles.
Habyarimana, 45, denied all the charges, which all contravene Sections 156 (a), 164 (1), and (2) of the UPDF Act, Cap 330.
Under the law, anyone who uses army vehicles for unauthorised purposes or instructions commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding four years.
The offence of interfering with the process of the law attracts a maximum jail term not exceeding seven years, upon conviction.
The UPDF Director of Prosecutions, Col Raphael Mugisha, informed the army court that investigations were incomplete.
The accused, Habyarimana, a resident of Seeta Mukono and deployed at the Defence Intelligence and Security headquarters under the Directorate of Counter Terrorism, is accused of breaking the rules of security of prisoners prescribed by the defence forces on July 8, 2025.
Absent without leave
On the other hand, Private Bernard Khauka, 27, attached to the Defence Intelligence, confessed to absenting himself from duty without official leave.
“A plea of guilty is hereby entered,” said Gen. Tukachungurwa after Khauka’s pleading confession to the charge.
The charge of absent without leave contravenes Section 146 (1) of the UPDF Act, Cap 330 and attracts a maximum imprisonment sentence of four years, upon conviction.
Tukachungurwa, respectively, adjourned the cases until February 26 for brief facts and mitigating facts regarding Khauka’s case, whereas Habyarimana’s case will return for mention.
Maj. Simon Nsubuga Busagwa, Capt. Daniel Kagombe, and Capt. Pricilla Kakande, among other lawyers, represent the accused.