The Division Court martial, of the UPDF 1 infantry division has convened and charged 8 Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) and Local Defense Unit (Unit) LDU personnel of different offences.

The seven member court, under the chairmanship of Col. Sam Mugyenyi, heard cases that ranged from man slaughter, careless shooting while in operation, failure to protect war materials all deemed capital offences by the UPDF Act.

An LDU officer identified as Asuman Juma Musuya was charged with man slaughter.

According to the court martial’s investigations, Asuman on July 25, 2019, while cleaning his gun, failed to take necessary safety precaution leading to killing of his fellow LDU Atanansi Mumuli. The accused accepted the charges and was convicted on his own plea.  Asuman was sentenced to three years imprisonment.

Similarly, the court martial also convicted another LDU who was identified as Kirungi Sadik of Kira. Sadik was charged with failing to protect war materials under section 122 of the UPDF Act.  He pleaded guilty of the charges and was convicted on his own plea.

The same court charged, Pte. Kabwana Jimmy, for careless shooting in operation, LDU officer Olingi Joseph, who was charged with obtaining registration by false pretense under false pretense. He denied the charges and was remanded until 26th May 2020.

According to the Division 1 Commander Maj Gen. Samuel Kawagga, the court sittings are part of the deliberate efforts to ensure discipline in the force.

“We continue to use all means at our disposal to ensure that we maintain our norms, traditions and culture that have always defined us” Samuel said.

He maintained that, they will ensure professionalism and discipline through continuous training, mentoring and taking administrative action in addition to legal action to maintain a disciplined force.