Soldier charged, remanded over sh2.4b fraud

ARMY COURT |

A Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) officer, attached to the Directorate of Logistics Land Forces headquarters in Bombo, has been charged and remanded to Makindye Military Police Barracks over sh2.4b fraud.

The prosecution alleges that WOII Gordon Kababure, 45, a resident of Bwebajja village along Entebbe road in Wakiso district, obtained sh2.4b from Total Uganda Limited falsely pretending that the money is for routine fuel of the UPDF land forces.

It is further alleged that Kababure with intent to defraud made false documents, namely, 13 fuel cards, which he tendered before Total fuel station Bwebajja to obtain funds for personal gain.

According to the charge sheet, Kababure purported that the cards were authorised by the Commander Land Forces, whereas not.

The accused allegedly committed the offences between July 2018 and July 2019.

The accused on Thursday appeared before the General Court Martial (GCM) chairman, Lt.Gen Andrew Gutti and denied charges of obtaining money by false pretence and forgery.

"Have you understood the charges and the particulars of the offences read out to you?" Gutti asked and the accused answered in affirmative before denying it.  

He is battling the charges under Section 305, 342, and 347 of the Penal Code Act (PCA) Cap 120.

The offence of obtaining money by false pretence attracts a maximum sentence of five-year imprisonment if found guilty while forgery elicits a three-year-jail term.

The accused, dressed in a military outfit, appeared downcast before a panel of seven members led by Gutti.  

Lt.Col Raphael Mugisha the state prosecutor asked the court to adjourn the case to another mentioned date on grounds that investigations are still ongoing.

"I pray that you adjourn the case to another date, pending investigations," Mugisha requested.

Meanwhile, Maj. Kamanda Mutungi the defence lawyer did not apply for his client's bail, prompting the court chairman to adjourn the case to June 29, for mention.

Before the same court, Innocent Tuhairwe aka Dan Bwanakwer, 39, attached to Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) headquarters was charged with desertion, contrary to Section 146 of the UPDF Act, 2005.

The offence attracts a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, on conviction.

It is alleged that Tuhairwe in 2005 absented himself from his unit and was arrested in February 2019.

He denied the offences and he was also remanded to Makindye Military Police Barracks.