Anti-terrorism unit formed
Nov 17, 2005
THE armed group of “men-in-black†who sealed off High Court premises on Wednesday, is a new special unit formed by the army to fight terrorism, the army said yesterday.
By Emmy Allio, Steven Candia and Cyprian Musoke
THE armed group of “men-in-black†who sealed off High Court premises on Wednesday, is part of a new special unit formed by the army to fight terrorism, the army said yesterday.
The estimated 30-member paramilitary group is part of the Joint Anti-Terrorist Team (JATT), which comprises personnel from the army, Police and security organisations, acting army spokesman Maj. Felix Kulaije said.
He said the squad had been assigned by the UPDF and that their brief at the high court was to re-arrest the 14 suspects of the People’s Redemption Army (PRA), whose bail application was being considered by the court.
“The UPDF had established that they had violated the military law. Some of them are deserted UPDF soldiers who deserted, such as Capt. Katabaazi. The others are civilians who were found with arms,†Kulaije said.
He said under the UPDF Act (Trial of Civilians Regulations of 1996), any person found with arms normally reserved for the army, will be treated like a soldier and qualifies for trial by the Court Martial.
He said any soldier who leaves the army without permission or formal discharge was a deserter, an offence under the UPDF.
“The UPDF was awaiting the civilian court process to be completed before commencing its own process. The charges stated above were not part of the charges for which they were on trial in the High Court. Therefore, the UPDF had a legitimate and legal right to re-arrest them and have them answer the charges under the UPDF Act,†he said.
He justified the intention, saying in the past, armed rebels have been arrested committing acts of war against the government and people have escaped after being released on bail.
He said 100 bailed ADF suspects have left the country and gone back to rebel activity after being released on bail.
“The Government has an obligation to protect its citizens. It cannot allow these suspects to escape justice and continue to pose a threat,†he said.
The unit made up of well-built men said to be trained in martial arts manned the court, making several people crowds think it was a commando unit.
THE armed group of “men-in-black†who sealed off High Court premises on Wednesday, is part of a new special unit formed by the army to fight terrorism, the army said yesterday.
The estimated 30-member paramilitary group is part of the Joint Anti-Terrorist Team (JATT), which comprises personnel from the army, Police and security organisations, acting army spokesman Maj. Felix Kulaije said.
He said the squad had been assigned by the UPDF and that their brief at the high court was to re-arrest the 14 suspects of the People’s Redemption Army (PRA), whose bail application was being considered by the court.
“The UPDF had established that they had violated the military law. Some of them are deserted UPDF soldiers who deserted, such as Capt. Katabaazi. The others are civilians who were found with arms,†Kulaije said.
He said under the UPDF Act (Trial of Civilians Regulations of 1996), any person found with arms normally reserved for the army, will be treated like a soldier and qualifies for trial by the Court Martial.
He said any soldier who leaves the army without permission or formal discharge was a deserter, an offence under the UPDF.
“The UPDF was awaiting the civilian court process to be completed before commencing its own process. The charges stated above were not part of the charges for which they were on trial in the High Court. Therefore, the UPDF had a legitimate and legal right to re-arrest them and have them answer the charges under the UPDF Act,†he said.
He justified the intention, saying in the past, armed rebels have been arrested committing acts of war against the government and people have escaped after being released on bail.
He said 100 bailed ADF suspects have left the country and gone back to rebel activity after being released on bail.
“The Government has an obligation to protect its citizens. It cannot allow these suspects to escape justice and continue to pose a threat,†he said.
The unit made up of well-built men said to be trained in martial arts manned the court, making several people crowds think it was a commando unit.