Soldier who lost gun to Mukono assailants gets four-year jail term

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A UPDF soldier who lost a submachine gun later used in a fatal attack on a police officer has been sentenced to four years’ imprisonment by the General Court Martial.

The 40-year-old, RA/265264 Pt Kiiza Yunusu, was convicted of failing to protect war materials after the weapon he lost was used by assailants to pursue and kill Assistant Superintendent of Police Emmanuel Bagenda.

Bagenda, who was in charge of Ntaawo Police Post in Mukono district, was shot dead on November 23, 2025, at Ntawo cell, Ntawo ward.

The state charged Kiiza with two counts of failure to protect war materials, offences that contravene Sections 120 (1) and (2) (e) of the UPDF Act Cap 330 as amended and carry a maximum penalty of death upon conviction. He pleaded guilty to the charges.

Appearing before the General Court Martial at Makindye in Kampala on April 7, 2026, a panel chaired by Col Frederick Kangwamu, alongside Col Nasser Drago Igambi and Maj. Abubaker Nyombi found that Kiiza had been negligent when he lost the firearm to a UPDF deserter, Labison Amutuhire alias Mulefu, and his accomplices.

Court heard that after stealing the gun from Kiiza at Namboole, Amutuhire and his accomplices used it to shoot and injure Police Constable Jackson Kiyingi, disarmed him, and then used Kiyingi’s gun to shoot ASP Bagenda dead.

“Therefore, the duty to protect war materials is a non-delegable personal duty, and the convict is not charged with crimes subsequently committed with this murder weapon, but charged with failing to take precaution that would have prevented the gun from entering hands of criminals,” observed court.

The court further ruled that responsibility for the murders and robberies rests with the perpetrators, who are being tried separately.

“However, your negligence was the first link in a colossal chain that cost a law enforcement officer’s life, aggrievance with non-reversible consequences; therefore, court cannot ignore a calibrated tangible sentence against you,” ruled Kangwamu.

The court also noted that none of the 30 rounds of ammunition had been recovered, posing an ongoing threat to the public.

“Therefore, this court sentences you, Kiiza, for two years on count one, and two years detention on count two. The sentences on both counts shall run concurrently,” Col Kangwamu ruled.

He added, “This court hereby arithmetically deducts the period of 10 months and 12 days already served in lawful custody, the remaining sentence, therefore, to be served is one year, 18 days detention. The convict shall serve this sentence at Makindye Military Police Quarter Guard from the date of this sentence. You have a right to appeal to the Court of Appeal of Uganda within 14 days from the date of this sentence if you are not satisfied with this court’s ruling.”

Prosecutors told court that on or around May 26, 2025, while at Namboole detach in Bweyogerere Division, Kira Municipality, Wakiso district, Kiiza lost an SMG rifle serial number 48014855 and 30 rounds of live ammunition.

The prosecution was led by Captain Alex Rasto Mukhana, Second Lieutenants Anthony Phillip Olupot and Regina Nanzala, while Captain Daniel Kagombe and Elezabeth Nyasingwa represented the defence.