35 charged with offences related to overthrowing govt

In an amended charge sheet, 35 people have been charged before the General Court Martial (GCM) in Kampala in relation to overthrowing the Government.

The group, including seven Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers, deserters, Police and ex-officers, pastors, teachers, peasants, businessmen, bodaboda riders and marketers, were charged with three counts of treachery and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Treachery contravenes sections 129 (a) of the UPDF Act, 2005, and elicits a maximum death sentence whereas unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition contravenes Sections 3 (1) (2) (a) of the Firearms Act, Cap 299 and attracts a ten-year jail term, upon conviction.

Prosecution accuses the suspects in the dock of having held meetings, recruited and formed a rebel group Uganda Lords’ Salvation Army, and engaged in war or war-like activities, intending to overthrow the Government of Uganda. (Credit: Douglas Mubiru)

According to prosecutors, the suspects, held meetings, recruited and formed a rebel group Uganda Lords’ Salvation Army and engaged in war or war-like activities, intending to overthrow the Government of Uganda.

The suspects are Uganda UPDF soldiers: Capt Denish Oola Oyaa, Lt. Benjamin Edoru, WOII Sunday Oryek Jenaro, Sgt (deserter) Bernard Morris Leku alias Peter Anduadia, Cpl John Ojokuna Elatu, Cpl Ronald Keuber, and Cpl David Olal.

Their co-accused, include Pastors Simon Oyoma and Judith Angwech, Daniel Owitti alias ODB, Fabio Ocen, Muhammed Ijosiga, Stanley Yiacia, Anthony Kamau Omach, Lamex Oguma aka Pastor, and Police Officer Wilson Ochen alias RDC.

Others are Mulindwa Nassif, Hamuza Andama alias Easy Law, Ratib Buga Asuma, Siraj Angulibo, Joseph Okawai, Swadik Kujo, Abdumalik Ochan aka Peter, Michael Opecha alias Simple Michael, Tom Apavuson Owoths, Stephen Eteu, Kasim Ida and L/Cpl Moses Anyang.

Lawyers Capt. Simon Nsubuga Busagwa, Private Priscilla Kakande, Elizabeth Nyasingwa, George Musisi, and Brian Bwogi represent the accused.

Prosecution, led by UPDF Director of Prosecutions Lt Col Raphael Mugisha, Lt Alex Mukhwana, Private Anthony Phillip Olupot, and Private Regina Nanzala told the court that investigations regarding the case are incomplete.

“My lord chairman and honourable court members, investigations are still ongoing and we expect more additions. We, therefore, pray that the case be adjourned till April 2, 2023,” Mukhwana told court.

This prompted the GCM chairperson Brig. Gen. Robert Freeman Mugabe to adjourn the case and remanded the soldiers to Makindye Military Quarter Guard and the rest of the accused to Kigo Government Prison.

The accused

Captain Oola, 39, is an officer of the UPDF Armoured Brigade attached to the 6Tank Battalion as an OPTO, Edoru, 36, is attached to the Amour Maintenance Unit as a Staff Officer, and WOII Jenaro is attached to the same Unit as a tank engine technician.

Sgt Leku is a deserter formerly attached to UPDF’s Field Engineering Unit, Elatu is under the Defence Forces’ Armoured Brigade attached to 6Tank Batallion PSOTC Singo and Keuber is attached to 1 Tank Batallion as a driver/mechanic, whereas Cpl Olal is a Police officer aboding at Dumakuch village, Angolocom Parish, Agweng Sub-County, Erute North County in Lira district.

Charges

Prosecution alleges that between February 2022 and October 2023 within and outside Uganda in diverse places of Lira, Masaka, Arua, and Kampala cities, Bidi Bidi camp in Yumbe district, and Juba city in South Sudan, the accused held meetings, recruited and formed a rebel group called Uganda Lords’ Salvation Army and engaged in war or war-like activities intending to overthrow the Government of Uganda.

That on October 12, 2023, in Ojwina Quarters, Lira City West Division in Lira city, the 35 accused were found in unlawful possession of an SMG S/No. Zastauakra – Gujevac – Yugoslavia without holding a valid firearms certificate, the said weapon ordinarily being a monopoly of the defence forces.

Prosecution further purports that on the same date and place in Lira City, the group were found in unlawful possession of a magazine containing 21 rounds of live ammunition, the said ammunition ordinarily being the monopoly of the defence forces.