Kitatta, co-accused plead not guilty to six offences

PIC: Kitatta was led inside the General Court Martial on a wet Tuesday morning. (Credit: Meddie Musisi)

CRIME

KAMPALA - Abdallah Kitatta, the patron of Bodaboda 2010, and 12 others have pleaded not guilty to six offences of unlawful possession of firearms.

A fortnight ago, Kitatta and his co-accused had declined to plead to the charges, arguing that they are not soldiers to be tried in an army court.

However, after seeking advice from their new lawyers led by Shaban Sanywa, the accused accepted to take plea and the General Court Martial chairman Lt. Gen. Andrew Gutti, read out the charges to them.

Gutti later remanded Kitatta at Makindye military police barracks, which he protested. Sanywa said Kitatta was worried about being detained at Makindye.

THE MOMENT KITATTA ARRIVED AT MILITARY COURT . . .

The accused are battling charges of unlawful possession of military hardware under section 160 (2) (c) of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) Act of 2005. The offence attracts a maximum sentence of life imprisonment on conviction.

The military equipment includes two pistols, submachine gun (SMG) rifle and 50 rounds of ammunition.

Besides Kitatta, the other suspects are Sowali Ngobi, Amon Twinomujuni, Joel Kibirige, Matia Ssenfuka, Hassan Sebatta, Jonathan Kayondo, Hassan Ssegooba, Sunday Ssemwogerere, John Sebandeke, Hussein Mugema, Fred Bwanika and Ibrahim Ssekajja.

The state prosecutor, Maj. Raphael Mugisha, asked court to adjourn the case to March 19, with the view of fixing the matter for hearing.

However, Sanywa asked court to direct prosecution to avail them with all the statements of witnesses and exhibits which are intended to be used as evidence against the accused.

According to that Kitatta, Ngobi and Ssekajja on January 21, while at Vine Hotel at Wakaliga, Kampala, in a motor vehicle registration number UAK 135 B, were found in possession of a SMG and pistols without holding a valid firearms certificate.

Prosecution further alleges that the trio, with 12 others on the same date, was found in possession of military headgear (caps) and uniforms. Ngobi and Ssekajja are the only suspects who were not produced in court.. 

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