A pilot of the Special Forces Command (SFC) has been charged and remanded for allegedly sharing classified information that injured the cohesion of the Defence Forces.

Second Lieutenant (2Lt) Phillip Neville Ankunda, 30, an officer of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), attached to SFC Headquarters as a pilot was charged with conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline.

He was charged alongside UPDF officers; 2LT Alex Kasamula, 31, a resident of Luzira, attached to Military Police, Private (Pte) Nathan Samuel Ndiwaine, 27, Pte Moses Asiimwe Makobore, 25, and Pte Godfrey Mugabi, 27, a resident of Nakasongola Barracks.

Ndiwaine, Asiimwe, and Mugabi are all attached to Airforce Wing Nakasongola as students of Flight Engineering and Aircraft Maintenance.

The group, Monday, (April 26, 2021) appeared before the General Court Martial (GCM) chaired by Lt. Gen Andrew Gutti and denied the charge.

On denying the charge, the prosecution led by Major Emmy Ekyaruhanga and Captain Ambroz Guma informed the court that investigations were complete, therefore, requesting a hearing date.

“My Lord Chairman and honorable court members, investigations are complete, we, therefore, pray that court adjourns the case and slates a hearing date,” Ekyaruhanga said.

This prompted Gutti to adjourn the case to May 17, 2021, for a hearing.

“Since the defence does not object to the state submission, this case is hereby adjourned till May 17, all the accused be remanded to Military Police Quarter Guard at Makindye Barracks,” ruled Gutti.

The charge

The prosecution asserts that the accused and others still at large between February and May 2020, while at various places in Kampala district formed a WhatsApp group known as ‘NYARUJJU WHATSAPP GROUP’ through which they shared information injurious to the cohesion of the Defence Forces.

The charge contravenes Sections 178 (1), (20), (4) and 5 (a) of the UPDF Act.