Tumukunde propaganda trial opens at Court Martial
May 08, 2006
THE trial of Brig. Henry Tumukunde (left) on charges of spreading harmful propaganda started yesterday at the General Court Martial.
By Maurice Okore
THE trial of Brig. Henry Tumukunde (left) on charges of spreading harmful propaganda started yesterday at the General Court Martial.
The former spymaster went on trial before Gen. Elly Tumwine, two weeks after he was acquitted by the same court on charges of causing a financial loss of sh300m to government.
It was alleged he inflated the army payroll with 650 non-existent soldiers between November 2000 and November 2001 when he was the 4th Division chief in Gulu.
Details of the trial were unavailable as it was conducted in a closed session. The identity of the witnesses was also not made public for security reasons.
Tumukunde was, however, returned under heavy military escort to the Senior Officers’ Mess in Kololo, where he is being held.
He returns to the court on June 6 when he is also expected to open his defence against charges of abuse of office. Under this charge, it is alleged that he failed to ascertain the strength of the forces as division chief.
Under the charge of spreading harmful propaganda, prosecution alleges that Tumukunde claimed on radio talk-shows that the army leadership blocked him from retiring.
THE trial of Brig. Henry Tumukunde (left) on charges of spreading harmful propaganda started yesterday at the General Court Martial.
The former spymaster went on trial before Gen. Elly Tumwine, two weeks after he was acquitted by the same court on charges of causing a financial loss of sh300m to government.
It was alleged he inflated the army payroll with 650 non-existent soldiers between November 2000 and November 2001 when he was the 4th Division chief in Gulu.
Details of the trial were unavailable as it was conducted in a closed session. The identity of the witnesses was also not made public for security reasons.
Tumukunde was, however, returned under heavy military escort to the Senior Officers’ Mess in Kololo, where he is being held.
He returns to the court on June 6 when he is also expected to open his defence against charges of abuse of office. Under this charge, it is alleged that he failed to ascertain the strength of the forces as division chief.
Under the charge of spreading harmful propaganda, prosecution alleges that Tumukunde claimed on radio talk-shows that the army leadership blocked him from retiring.