Kazini concludes his defence
Mar 17, 2009
FORMER army commander Maj. Gen. James Kazini yesterday finalised submitting his defence in a case in which he is accused of disobeying President Yoweri Museveni.
By Charles Ariko
FORMER army commander Maj. Gen. James Kazini yesterday finalised submitting his defence in a case in which he is accused of disobeying President Yoweri Museveni.
Kazini yesterday appeared before the General Court Martial chaired by Lt. Gen. Ivan Koreta.
His lawyer, Kenneth Kakuru, made the final submissions, while Christopher Madrama and Sam Sserwanga of Katende Ssempebwa and Co. Advocates represented the State.
During the closed session, Kazini reportedly denied the accusation.
“Issues that were raised were in connection with irregular transfer of soldiers and not disobeying lawful orders,†a source who attended the session said.
Prosecution stated that Kazini disobeyed the President’s orders between 2002 and 2003 when he served as army commander.
He reportedly defied the President on March 5, 2002, who had advised against the transfer of the UPDF soldiers in large numbers.
In a written submission to the court last year, sources said Kazini argued that there were a number of conflicting directives from the Commander-in-Chief in relation to the transfer of soldiers at the time.
Kazini reportedly argued that while he was tasked to create a new battalion, he was at the same time ordered not to transfer soldiers.
He is said to have argued that there was no way he could create a new battalion without transferring soldiers from other units in a situation where no fresh recruitment had been authorised.
Kazini is still facing other charges before the General Court Martial, including creating ghost soldiers on the army payroll.
On March 27, 2008, he was sentenced to three years imprisonment for causing financial loss of over sh60m to the Government.
Kazini petitioned the Constitutional Court and his case it yet to be heard.
FORMER army commander Maj. Gen. James Kazini yesterday finalised submitting his defence in a case in which he is accused of disobeying President Yoweri Museveni.
Kazini yesterday appeared before the General Court Martial chaired by Lt. Gen. Ivan Koreta.
His lawyer, Kenneth Kakuru, made the final submissions, while Christopher Madrama and Sam Sserwanga of Katende Ssempebwa and Co. Advocates represented the State.
During the closed session, Kazini reportedly denied the accusation.
“Issues that were raised were in connection with irregular transfer of soldiers and not disobeying lawful orders,†a source who attended the session said.
Prosecution stated that Kazini disobeyed the President’s orders between 2002 and 2003 when he served as army commander.
He reportedly defied the President on March 5, 2002, who had advised against the transfer of the UPDF soldiers in large numbers.
In a written submission to the court last year, sources said Kazini argued that there were a number of conflicting directives from the Commander-in-Chief in relation to the transfer of soldiers at the time.
Kazini reportedly argued that while he was tasked to create a new battalion, he was at the same time ordered not to transfer soldiers.
He is said to have argued that there was no way he could create a new battalion without transferring soldiers from other units in a situation where no fresh recruitment had been authorised.
Kazini is still facing other charges before the General Court Martial, including creating ghost soldiers on the army payroll.
On March 27, 2008, he was sentenced to three years imprisonment for causing financial loss of over sh60m to the Government.
Kazini petitioned the Constitutional Court and his case it yet to be heard.