Ex-Mbabazi aide pinned over absconding from duty

An aide to the Director General of Internal Security Organization (ISO), Brigadier Ronnie Balya has pinned Private Emilly Katabaazi over absconding from duty and making public statements without authorization from the army.

Pte. Katabazi, 51, a former aide to ex-Premier Amama Mbabazi is battling charges of absence without leave and conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline contrary to the Uganda People's Defence Forces Act (UPDF), 2015.

Maj. Patrice Ajiku, who joined ISO in 1991, told the General Court Martial presided over by Maj. Gen. Levi Karuhanga that Katabazi was working as a research officer in the office of the Prime Minister but was discharged before his one and half year contract expired.

According to Ajiku, Katabazi's deployment letter was addressed to the Director General, ISO. She said that the letter stated that there was no work for Katabazi in the OPM.

Testifying as the first witness, Ajiku confirmed that Katabazi was on the redeployment pending list, but he never reported for work.

Ajiku testified that during his time of deployment, officers from various parts of the country made reports to the Director General ISO, inquiring whether he was aware of Katabazi's activities in their areas.

"Regional ISO officer for Western Region quoted a letter from District Security Officer (DISO) Yumbe inquiring from him whether he knew about Katabazi's mobilization activities of meeting people in his jurisdiction," Ajiku said.

Ajiku informed court that he got to know about all this information because among her duties is to assist the Director General in day to day activities like Finance, administration as well as managing Human Resource.

Prosecution alleges that Katabazi between May 21, and 27 this year, while deployed at the ISO headquarters, Nakasero, without authority left the said place where his duties required him to be and went to diverse places in Jinja, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Gulu, Arua and Yumbe district.

It is further alleges that in the same period, while in those various places, Katabazi without proper authorization from the UPDF appropriate authorities, made public speeches, thereby contravening rule 2 (1) of code of conduct for the defence forces.

Once convicted, Katabazi faces a maximum sentence of four years' imprisonment for the charge of absence without leave and two years for conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline of the army and thereafter dismissal from UPDF with disgrace.

The state has also promised to avail the defence with witness statement before trial commences following a complaint from Katabazi's lawyer Kangye Mugabi.

The chairman adjourned the case to January 20, 2016 when he is expected to make a ruling on Katabazi's bail application. Katabazi was further remanded to Makindye Military Barracks.