Gen. Gutti reappointed Court Martial chairman

The commander-in-chief of the armed forces, President Yoweri Museveni, has handed Lt Gen. Andrew Gutti a fourth term as the General Court Martial chairman.

Gutti was appointed as the General Court Martial chief in May 2016 after the death of Maj. Gen. Levi Karuhanga and the President has continuously extended his contract to date.

In his letter dated June 24, 2020, Museveni did not only extended Gutti's contract but also other General Court Martial members , while bringing in new ones.

He convened the General Court Martial to exercise its authority as subject to sub-section 2 of section 197 of the UPDF Act.

Under the provisions of the military court, the term for the members lasts for a year and has to be renewed by the President.

"I Hereby require the General Court Martial to convene and exercise its jurisdiction as under sub-section (2) of the UPDF Act," Museveni's later reads in part.

Among the contracted members are Maj. Gen. Joseph Arocha, Lt Col Betty Musuya Wanyera, Maj. Richard Turyahebwo, Capt. Glorious Natukunda, Capt. Paul Mugerwa, Maj. Douglas M Owoyesiga and WO1 Sunday YK Moses.

Others included the judge advocate, Col Richard Tukacungurwa, the lead prosecutor, Maj. Raphael Mugisha, the secretary Maj. John Bizimana and the defence counsel Maj. Silas Mutungi.

Reserve members appointed are Brig. George J Etyang, Brig. Francis Chemengich Chemo, Col Frank Kyakonye, Col David Robert Gonyi, Capt. Ruth Faith Nabitakke, Lt Fatumah Njuhi Wakabani, WO1 George Matete and Lt Col Richard Nimanya. 

The President in his letter also asserted that Maj. Emmy Ekyaruhanga, Maj. Samuel Masereje and Capt. Ambrose Baguma may be prosecutors.

Who is Gutti?

Lt Gen. Gutti was the commander of the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) based in Mogadishu between May 2012 and December 2013.

Because of his service there, he was awarded the United States military service medal, but before his deployment to Somalia, he commanded the Uganda Senior Command and Staff College at Kimaka from 2007 to 2011.

He also served as the Member of the Parliament representing the UPDF in 2005, replacing the then Lt Gen. Henry Tumukunde.