UPDF Officers Deny Charges
Nov 14, 2002
MAJOR Sam Mwesigwa and Lt. Benon Asiimwe, the UPDF officers accused of distributing arms to criminals, on Wednesday appeared before the General Court Martial and denied charges of terrorism.
MAJOR Sam Mwesigwa and Lt. Benon Asiimwe, the UPDF officers accused of distributing arms to criminals, on Wednesday appeared before the General Court Martial and denied charges of terrorism.
Mwesigwa, 42, the commanding officer of the Air Defence Unit in Mbarara and Asiimwe, the acting artillery training officer of Mbarara Barracks, are jointly charged with Pte Yusin Wuzail Kashillingi, an army veteran and Benon Kanyomozi, a driver in Mbarara town.
The four denied knowledge of the charges before a seven-member panel of the Military Court headed by Lt. Gen. Elly Tumwine. The court sits at the Makindye Officer’s Mess in Kampala.
Operation Wembley arrested the group in August and the Military Court is trying all the suspects rounded up under the operation.
The state, represented by WO II Enock Odong and Capt. Moses Wandera, alleged that the group in August distributed firearms and bullets to unauthorised persons,which is an act of terrorism.
They are also accused of having been in unlawful possession of a Star pistol loaded with five bullets. Odong told the court that inquiries in the matter were still going on and prosecution asked to be given some more time.
But Geoffrey Kandeebe, the advocate representing Mwesigwa and Asiimwe and Sgt. Mugerwa Lukwago, representing the others, both prayed that the prosecution speed up investigations to avoid denying their clients a speedy trial.
The matter was adjourned to November 19 for mention. Ends
Mwesigwa, 42, the commanding officer of the Air Defence Unit in Mbarara and Asiimwe, the acting artillery training officer of Mbarara Barracks, are jointly charged with Pte Yusin Wuzail Kashillingi, an army veteran and Benon Kanyomozi, a driver in Mbarara town.
The four denied knowledge of the charges before a seven-member panel of the Military Court headed by Lt. Gen. Elly Tumwine. The court sits at the Makindye Officer’s Mess in Kampala.
Operation Wembley arrested the group in August and the Military Court is trying all the suspects rounded up under the operation.
The state, represented by WO II Enock Odong and Capt. Moses Wandera, alleged that the group in August distributed firearms and bullets to unauthorised persons,which is an act of terrorism.
They are also accused of having been in unlawful possession of a Star pistol loaded with five bullets. Odong told the court that inquiries in the matter were still going on and prosecution asked to be given some more time.
But Geoffrey Kandeebe, the advocate representing Mwesigwa and Asiimwe and Sgt. Mugerwa Lukwago, representing the others, both prayed that the prosecution speed up investigations to avoid denying their clients a speedy trial.
The matter was adjourned to November 19 for mention. Ends