Officers accused of leaking security secrets granted bail

Four people, including two police officers, accused of leaking government secrets that could jeopardise national security, have been released on bail by the army court.

They include Inspector of Police Peter Ayebare attached to Cyber Crime Unit at Naguru Police headquarters, Detective Constable Taddeo Judas Opendo, attached to Special Investigations Division at Kireka, Silver Olinga Elwelu, a cleaner and Moses Kasiba (army informer).

According to sources, the applicants, who have spent close to a year at Makindye Military barracks, are part of the group that were reportedly close to the former Inspector General of Police, Gen. Edward Kale Kayihura.

Kayihura, who is out on bail, and other Police bosses are facing three counts of failure to protect war materials and one of aiding the kidnap and illegal repatriation of Rwandan nationals before the same court.

On Tuesday, the General Court Martial presided over by Lt Gen Andrew Gutti granted each of the accused a non-cash bail of sh10m on grounds that the sureties presented were substantial. The sureties were bonded at sh3m not cash.

The sureties are Milton Mark Turyamureeba, Gilbert Guma, Syson Sebuliba, Nathan Kiiza, Gregory Joku, Gabriel Dawa, Daniel Egeng, Richard Ojupa, Samuel Melki Ahocon, Hajarah Nantume and Paul Kasule.

Lt Gen. Gutti noted that although the offence against the applicants is of a capital nature, it is bailable.

He ordered that the applicants be restricted not to go beyond the districts of Wakiso and Kampala, without court authority.

The court chairman also directed each of the applicants to report to the registrar, Maj. John Bizimana twice a month after every fourteen days.

"The applicants shall also report to this court as and when required. Breach of any of the terms will lead to cancellation of bail," Gutti warned.

Maj. Silas Mutungi represented the applicants while state by Capt. Ambrose Baguma.

The applicants and eight other police and military officers are battling charges relating to security under section 130 (1) (f) of the Uganda People's Defence Act (UPDF).

The Act stipulates that a person subject to military law who does or omits to anything with intent to prejudice the security of the defence forces is, on conviction, liable to suffer death.  

They include Martin Kimbowa, attached to the police witness protection unit, Swadafi Marutre, attached to police headquarters, Felix Oyugi, a Counter-Terrorism police officer attached to Entebbe Airport, and Cpl. Abdalla Ajobe, an SFC officer attached to Nakasero State Lodge.

Others are Pte Paul Okweny, SFC engineer, Pte Henry Obong (SFC), Wilson Atekateka (resident of Lukuli in Makindye), and mechanic Difas Nyindo.

Prosecution alleges that the accused between March and September 2018 in various places in Kampala and Wakiso district held meetings to recruit civilians and soldiers into subversive activities with intent to overthrow government.