Soldier court-martialled over murder
Jan 21, 2009
A UPDF soldier, Richard Komakech Kisembo, attached to Magamaga Garrison in Jinja and a civilian, John Bosco Acaba, have been charged with murder.
By Chris Ocowun
A UPDF soldier, Richard Komakech Kisembo, attached to Magamaga Garrison in Jinja and a civilian, John Bosco Acaba, have been charged with murder.
They were charged by the 4th division military court martial at Gulu barracks on Tuesday.
Acaba is a businessman from Pabbo trading centre in Amuru district.
According to the regional army spokesman, Capt. Ronald Kakurungu, Acaba gave Private Kisembo sh400, 000 to kill his business rival only identified as Oduny.
The prosecutor, staff sergeant Suleiman Nyakoojo, told court chaired by Lt. Col. Eugene Ssebugwawo, that Kisembo and Acaba on January 15, with intent to kill, shot dead Oduny at Pabbo trading centre at about 10:00pm.
Kisembo, who arrived in the court room limping, said he was shot in the knee by the UPDF during arrest.
He pleaded guilty. The division legal officer, Lt. Ruhanga Tumuhairwe, however, told court that the rules of procedure did not allow a plea of guilt to be entered by the accused, because he would be sentenced to death before trial.
Ssebugwawo then entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of Kisembo.
Acaba, however, denied the charges. Kisembo was remanded to the 4th Division quarter guard Gulu until January 30, while Acaba was remanded to Gulu Prison.
A UPDF soldier, Richard Komakech Kisembo, attached to Magamaga Garrison in Jinja and a civilian, John Bosco Acaba, have been charged with murder.
They were charged by the 4th division military court martial at Gulu barracks on Tuesday.
Acaba is a businessman from Pabbo trading centre in Amuru district.
According to the regional army spokesman, Capt. Ronald Kakurungu, Acaba gave Private Kisembo sh400, 000 to kill his business rival only identified as Oduny.
The prosecutor, staff sergeant Suleiman Nyakoojo, told court chaired by Lt. Col. Eugene Ssebugwawo, that Kisembo and Acaba on January 15, with intent to kill, shot dead Oduny at Pabbo trading centre at about 10:00pm.
Kisembo, who arrived in the court room limping, said he was shot in the knee by the UPDF during arrest.
He pleaded guilty. The division legal officer, Lt. Ruhanga Tumuhairwe, however, told court that the rules of procedure did not allow a plea of guilt to be entered by the accused, because he would be sentenced to death before trial.
Ssebugwawo then entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of Kisembo.
Acaba, however, denied the charges. Kisembo was remanded to the 4th Division quarter guard Gulu until January 30, while Acaba was remanded to Gulu Prison.