UPDF soldiers remanded over murder of colleague

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A court has remanded four soldiers and a civilian over the alleged murder of their colleagues.

The General Court Martial on May 29, 2026, charged and remanded four soldiers of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) on two counts of murder allegedly committed at Maga Maga Barracks.

The accused are Pte Jesse Amanya, 27, attached to UPDF under IME as a mechanic; Pte Emmanuel Chepurwuri, 30, attached under Kole as a caterer; Pte Sonko Monawar, 25, attached under Kole as an instructor; and Pte Deus Mwesigwa, 32, attached to IME as a mechanic.

All are attached to Maga Maga Barracks in Mayuge district.

Baluka in the dock where she was charged alongside four UPDF soldiers.

The four were jointly charged with civilian Dian Baluka, 19, an employee of Blue Ribbon, as a machine operator in Mayuge district.

Charges

The charges, read to them by Brig. Gen. Richard Tukachungurwa, the head of the Court Martial, state that the accused persons, on or around November 23, 2025, at about 1:30 am at Maga Maga Barracks in Mayuge district, with malice aforethought, unlawfully caused the death of Pte Rogers Mubale.

The prosecution further states that the accused, on or around November 23, 2025, at about 2:00 am at Maga Maga Barracks, with malice aforethought, unlawfully caused the death of Serina Karara.

All the accused persons denied the charges as read to them.

Capt. Alex Mukwana, appearing for the prosecution, told the court that investigations into the matter were still ongoing and requested a mention date.

He further requested the court to remand the soldiers to Makindye Military Detention Facility, while Baluka be remanded to Luzira Women's Prison. Their lawyer, Elizabeth Naynsingwa, did not object to the prosecution's request.

Court remanded them accordingly until June 29, 2026, when the case will return for mention.