Two senior soldiers dismissed from UPDF for cowardice
Nov 11, 2023
In May, a group of Al-Shabaab militants attacked the Bulomarer Forward Operating Base in Somalia and killed over 50 soldiers.
Maj. John Steven Oluka, 58, and Maj. Zadock Abor, 49, were sentenced by the General Court Martial sitting in the Somali capital on Saturday. (New Vision/Files)
Charles Etukuri
Senior Writer @New Vision
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MOGADISHU - Two senior military officers have been dismissed from the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) over the deadly attack on a base camp in Mogadishu in May this year.
Maj. John Steven Oluka, 58, and Maj. Zadock Abor, 49, were sentenced by the General Court Martial sitting in the Somali capital on Saturday.
They were both found found guilty of one count of cowardice in action contrary to Section 120 (1) (2) (a) of the UPDF Act of 2005.
Sitting at the headquarters of the UPDF Sector One Contingent, the army court then dismissed the two military officers.
Oluka was also found guilty of another count on offences by a person in command when in action contrary to Section 128 (1) (b) of the UPDF Act of 2005.
In May, a group of Al-Shabaab militants attacked the Bulomarer Forward Operating Base and killed over 50 soldiers.
In court, the prosecution team argued that the two military officers received intelligence briefing from an intelligence officer and the battalion commander about an impending attack from the Al-Shabaab.
Prosecution added that the two officers failed to plan and deter the attack.
When the attack actually happened, the officers reportedly failed to encourage the soldiers under their command to fight courageously, and instead abandoned their troops and fled to Golweyn Forward Operating Base.
"The convicts’ act of running away from the Al-Shabaab greatly impacted on the name of UPDF and gave Al-Shabaab an opportunity to easily raid their forces. Because of cowardice in action, a number of our soldiers and equipment were lost,” ruled Brig Gen Robert Freeman Mugabe, the General Court Martial chairman.
On the second count of offences of persons in command when in action, prosecution stated that Oluka caused the abortion of an operation by the rear protection force to search, rescue and recapture Bulomarer.
After listening to both sides (defence and state teams), Mugabe sentenced the two military officers to dismissal from the army.
"You have a right of appeal within 14 days if you are not satisfied with the decision of this court," added the chairman.
There were non-commissioned officers who were also sentenced in Mogadishu.
Lance Corporal Alex Okot Anyatta was sentenced to 16 years, seven months and 20 days in jail for failing to protect war materials contrary to Section 122 (1) (2) (g) of the UPDF Act 2005.
Corporal Hagai Twinemanzi was sentenced to 22 years, nine months and 24 days in jail for the same offence.
Others jailed for the same offence are Sgt Ronald Obeyo (17 years, six months and 19 days) and Sgt William Kakooza (10 months and 18 days).
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