Soldiers sentenced to death
Nov 21, 2007
THE court martial has sentenced three soldiers to death by hanging after finding them guilty of murdering two civilians in Kiruhura district. Prosecution told court that Lance Cpl. David Kizza Mwebaze, Pte.
By Kyomuhendo Muhanga
THE court martial has sentenced three soldiers to death by hanging after finding them guilty of murdering two civilians in Kiruhura district. Prosecution told court that Lance Cpl. David Kizza Mwebaze, Pte. John Vulga and Pte. Richard Wanyama attached to the UPDF Second Division headquarters Makenke in Mbarara, on March 31 shot at Charles Mugarura and David Nayebare of Kanyaryeru sub-county in Kiruhura.
The court, headed by Brig. Geoffrey Taban, heard that the three soldiers had been deployed to Kibega on Mbarara-Masaka road to foil an impending robbery.
Taban said the victims were not robbers and were killed from an area different from where the robbery was going to take place.
He said although the accused were deployed in the area to stop theft, they took the law into their hands.
“The killing of the civilians was intended,†Taban said before passing the sentence. He said the accused knew that killing an innocent person was a crime punishable by death on conviction.
“This court finds each of the accused guilty of murder. Consequently, each of the accused is sentenced to death,†Taban ruled, adding that the convicts had a right to appeal within 14 days.
A medical report showed that Nayebare was shot five times in the chest while Mugarura was shot 10 times in the stomach.
Capt. David Bashaija, the councillor for Kanyaryeru sub-county, said he was happy justice had prevailed.
The court was conducted in an open space at the sub-county headquarters to allow civilian witnesses to testify freely.
THE court martial has sentenced three soldiers to death by hanging after finding them guilty of murdering two civilians in Kiruhura district. Prosecution told court that Lance Cpl. David Kizza Mwebaze, Pte. John Vulga and Pte. Richard Wanyama attached to the UPDF Second Division headquarters Makenke in Mbarara, on March 31 shot at Charles Mugarura and David Nayebare of Kanyaryeru sub-county in Kiruhura.
The court, headed by Brig. Geoffrey Taban, heard that the three soldiers had been deployed to Kibega on Mbarara-Masaka road to foil an impending robbery.
Taban said the victims were not robbers and were killed from an area different from where the robbery was going to take place.
He said although the accused were deployed in the area to stop theft, they took the law into their hands.
“The killing of the civilians was intended,†Taban said before passing the sentence. He said the accused knew that killing an innocent person was a crime punishable by death on conviction.
“This court finds each of the accused guilty of murder. Consequently, each of the accused is sentenced to death,†Taban ruled, adding that the convicts had a right to appeal within 14 days.
A medical report showed that Nayebare was shot five times in the chest while Mugarura was shot 10 times in the stomach.
Capt. David Bashaija, the councillor for Kanyaryeru sub-county, said he was happy justice had prevailed.
The court was conducted in an open space at the sub-county headquarters to allow civilian witnesses to testify freely.