Tumukunde trial opens in camera
Oct 11, 2004
THE trial of the former director general of Internal Security Organisation, Brig. Henry Tumukunde, opened yesterday.
By Maurice Okore
THE trial of the former director general of Internal Security Organisation, Brig. Henry Tumukunde, opened yesterday.
He is accused of swindling over sh300m meant for soldiers’ salaries.
Tumukunde’s trial kicked off in camera at the general military court martial headed by Lt. Gen. Elly Tumwine.
The press was not allowed to attend the proceedings because of the sensitivity of evidence to be adduced by witnesses.
Represented by lawyers, McDusman Kabega and Oscar Kambona, Tumukunde had asked the court to stay his trial until his appeal against a ruling to have his case heard in camera was disposed of by an appeal court.
But the military court overruled him basing on an application by the State that the evidence was likely to prejudice national security if presented in open court.
The application said the evidence was made up of discussions between the High Command and senior UPDF officers in operation areas, troop movement and intelligence information from the 4th Division headquarters in Gulu, where the accused was once a commander.
Tumukunde is one of 20 senior army officers who were court-martialled for allegedly swindling over sh1b by creating ghost soldiers on the army payroll.
THE trial of the former director general of Internal Security Organisation, Brig. Henry Tumukunde, opened yesterday.
He is accused of swindling over sh300m meant for soldiers’ salaries.
Tumukunde’s trial kicked off in camera at the general military court martial headed by Lt. Gen. Elly Tumwine.
The press was not allowed to attend the proceedings because of the sensitivity of evidence to be adduced by witnesses.
Represented by lawyers, McDusman Kabega and Oscar Kambona, Tumukunde had asked the court to stay his trial until his appeal against a ruling to have his case heard in camera was disposed of by an appeal court.
But the military court overruled him basing on an application by the State that the evidence was likely to prejudice national security if presented in open court.
The application said the evidence was made up of discussions between the High Command and senior UPDF officers in operation areas, troop movement and intelligence information from the 4th Division headquarters in Gulu, where the accused was once a commander.
Tumukunde is one of 20 senior army officers who were court-martialled for allegedly swindling over sh1b by creating ghost soldiers on the army payroll.