Fourteen suspected army deserters arrested

By Moses Nampala

A total of 14 Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) deserters have been arrested in different places of eastern Uganda.

This brings to 34 the total number of deserters rounded up in eastern region and they will face trial at the UPDF Third Division headquarters in Bugema Barracks, Mbale district.

The division’s disciplinary court publicist, Martha Kulome, on Friday said the 14, who are being detained at Bugema Barracks, will be charged on June 3, when the court sits.

Last week, the disciplinary court sentenced Private Michael Malyamungu to a three-year jail term in Malukhu Government Prison, Mbale, after he pleaded guilty of deserting the army.

Kulome said the other 20 suspects, who were charged with deserting the army before the same court presided over by Maj. Francis Ssenkayi, denied having done so.

“The 20 suspects have since been remanded to Malukhu Government Prison in Mbale, pending trial,” said Kulome.

The disciplinary court was constituted by the UPDF to try serving soldiers who go against the army ethical code of conduct.

The courts, that have been established across the country, were assigned with the duty of tracing, arresting and trying soldiers suspected of deserting the army.

In the recent past, there have been several media reports of massive desertions from the army.

The number of those who deserted was said to be over 1,000.