Kabamba suspects seek speedy trial

Suspects in the botched attack on Kabamba Army Barracks in Mubende district have demanded court for a speedy trial.

The 14 suspects through their lawyer Fredrick Semwanga told court presided over by Lt. Gen Andrew Gutti that only two witnesses have testified against them in the last two years, after investigations were complete.

According to the suspects, this amounts to abuse of court process and violation of their rights, prompting them to instruct their lawyers to file a bail application in court.

"Last time the matter was adjourned in mysterious circumstances after the witness surfaced in court and disappeared. The state cannot convince court that since then despite the death of the court's chairman Maj. Gen. Levi Karuhanga, they are not able to align witnesses," Semwanga said.      

He asked court to entertain the accused's bail application, pending the hearing of the case in the next court session.

This was after the state, led by Raphael Mugisha told court that there was no witness in court to testify against the accused.

They suspects include Lt. Col. Phillip Frank Eguma, 42, Lt. Ronald Waibi Mwavu, 36, Lt. Phillip Frank Eguma, Pte Kenneth Ssekajja, 32, Lt. Ronald Mwavu, Sgt. Nduga Musaazi.

Others are Nasim Namuzimuule, 52, Marvin Ssemwogerere Kato, 33, John Lumala Salongo, Patrick Kibuuka, Solomon Matovu, Peter Kibirige, Herbert Biyimbwa, 54, Ali Mukiibi, 68, and Francis Kiwanuka; five UPDF soldiers and nine civilians including one woman.

The 14 suspects accused of attacking the military barracks with the intention of overthrowing government, have rejected a prosecution witness on grounds of his alleged criminal record.

The accused are facing charges related to security and aiding the commission of an offence contrary to the UPDF Act of 2005.

Prosecution alleges that the suspects between September 2013 and May 2014 in various districts in Uganda and Nairobi in Kenya consciously omitted to disclose vital information to the army authorities about the recruitment of people to engage into activities to prejudice the security of UPDF and preparations to attack Armored Warfare Training School (AWTS) in Mubende district.

The case was adjourned to August 9th.