Senior Police, army officials face death over espionage

COURT|ARMY|SPYING

Seven senior security officers from the Uganda Police Force and Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) could face death if convicted over sharing classified information to Rwandan Authorities.

Second Lieutenant (2Lt) Phillip Neville Ankunda 30, a pilot attached to the Special Forces Command (SFC) Headquarters and an officer of the UPDF Regular Forces and 2Lt Alex Kasamula 31, are charged with offences related to security.

The charges contravene section 130 (1) (f) of the UPDF Act, 2005 and elicit to a maximum penalty of death, upon conviction.

The duo is charged alongside, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Benon Akandwanaho 31, a Community Liaison officer attached to Kiira Police Headquarters and ASP Frank Sabiiti, 34, attached to Counter Terrorism Police at Mutukula Boarder post.

Others are Privates (Pte) Samuel Nathan Ndwaine, 27, Moses Asiimwe Makobore, 25, and Godfrey Mugabi, 27, all attached to Air Force Wing Nakasongola as students of Flight Engineering and Aircraft Maintenance.

General Court Martial (GCM) Chairman, Lt. Gen Andrew Gutti read them the charges, to which they denied.

The prosecution led by Maj Raphael Mugisha, Maj Samuel Masereje and Capt Ambrose Baguma requested the court to adjourn the case to enable them complete inquiries.

"Investigations are still ongoing, we request court to adjourn the case to enable us complete the same," Mugisha said.

The defence led Maj Silas Kamanda Mutungi did not object to the prosecution entreaty, prompting court to adjourn the case.

"Since the defence raises no objection, the accused are hereby remanded to the Military Police Quarter Guard at Makindye Barracks, until August 31, 2020 when they will return for mention of their case," Gutti ruled.

The arrest

The Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) arrested the group in May on allegations that they shared classified information relating to their operations with sources who in turn shared the said information with Rwandan intelligence.

The charge

Prosecution Purports that between February and May 2020, while at various places in Kampala district, Sabiiti, Akandwanaho, Ankunda, Kasamula, Ndwaine, Asiimwe, Mugabi and others still at large, shared sensitive information with agents of Rwandan authorities with intent to prejudice the security of the Defence Forces.