UPDF soldiers accused of murder ordered to defend themselves

By Sania Babirye

Four suspects including two Uganda Peaple's Defence Force soldiers have been ordered to defend themselves for the murder of a mobile money dealer in Zaana in Wakiso district.

This is after the General Court Martial sitting in Makindye chaired by Lt. Gen Andrew Gutti ruled that a case to answer had been produced against them.

Some of the evidence the seven members team unanimously based on included that of 16 prosecution witnesses including spouses of the suspects who incriminated them and testimonies of various eye witnesses among others.

The army court ruled that they have carefully evaluated the said evidence and found it substantial in linking them to the said murder and the accused must prove their innocence.

These have now been ordered to start their defense on the 9th of this month but three of tge suspects have informed court that they have chosen to stay silent as their defense.

This means that the suspects will not give any testimony or present witnesses to prove their innocence but court will base on the evidence adduced by state to rule on whether they are guilty or not.

Only one suspect will take the stand to defend himself.

They are charged with murder and aggravated robbery of 6.8 million shillings that belonged to Nalwadda , 400, 000 shillings and a Samsung phone the property of Mwesigwa Kigongo which they allegedly robbed on 14th of May 2019 at Nateete .

The group was already found guilty of robbery and being in possession of two SMG riffles and according to state, they used the same gun to commit the said crimes after serving their sentences.

These were charged and remanded to luzira prison on the 22nd of July this year.

Prosecution states that on the 10th of June 2019 at Zzana cell in Wakiso , private Bob Anichan , private Dennis Mangusho, Stanely Mulunda and Issa Ntale shot dead Harriet Nalwadda together with her employee Moureen Nakabubi before proceeding to murder Edward Walugembe another mobile money dealer of Nateete Church zone in July.