By Caroline Kanshabe
The Army Court Martial in Makindye has remanded eight Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) soldiers, two pastors, and 21 other civilians on charges linked to an alleged plot to overthrow the legitimate government of Uganda.
The 31 suspects, who include military personnel and civilians, appeared before the court martial chaired by Brig Gen Freeman Robert Mugabe on Wednesday.
The implicated soldiers from the armoured brigade headquarters are: Capt Denish Oola Oyaa, attached to the sixth Tank Battalion as an operations training officer, Lieutenant Benjamin Oduru, a staff officer, Warrant Officer II Oryek Sunday Jenaro, a tank engine technician, Sgt Bernard Morris Leku (also known as Peter Anguadia, a deserter), formerly attached to the Field Engineering Unit of America Village Perichi Subcounty, West Adjumani County in Adjumani District, Cpl John Elatu, attached to sixth Tank Battalion in Singo as a gunner, Cpl Ronald Keuber, attached to the first Tank Battalion as a driver and mechanic, Cpl David Olal, a Police officer resident of Erute North in Lira District, and Lance Corporal Moses Anyang, attached to the sixth tank battalion as a tank operator.
They were charged alongside civilians including Judith Angwech, a pastor from Alebtong district, Simon Oyoma, a pastor from Soroti City, Daniel Owitti (also known as Ott or ODM), a social worker from Adjumani District, Fabio Ocen, a builder from Kole District, Muhammad Ijosiga, a peasant from Arua district, Stanley Yiacia a marketeer from Maracha, Anthony Kamau Omacj, a teacher from Dokolo District, Joaquin Parm, an electrician from Nebbi District, Abdu Hakim Koloboka, a security guard from Yumbe District, Habibu Ezale, a mechanic from Koboko District and Ssebi Keppo, a peasant from Arua District.
They are accused of treachery, contrary to section 129 (a) of the UPDF Act, 2005.
The army prosecution alleges that the group between February 2022 and October 2023 within and outside Uganda in diverse places of Lira, Masaka, Arua, Kampala cities, Bidi Bidi camp in Yumbe District and Juba City in South Sudan held meetings, recruited and formed a rebel group called Uganda Lords’ Salvation Army engaged in war or war like activities intending to overthrow the government of Uganda.
The group is also accused of being in unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition contrary to section 3 (1) (2) (a) of the firearms Act after being found with an SMG rifle without a valid firearms licence but also 21 rounds of live ammunition.
The group represented by Captain Simon Nsubuga Busagwa and Private Pricilla Kakande denied the charges.
The prosecution, represented by Lt Col Raphael Mugisha, Lt Alex Lasto Mukhwana, and Pte Regina Nanzala, informed the court that investigations are ongoing and requested an adjournment.
As a result, the suspects were remanded to Luzira Prison until January 22, 2024, marking the date for further proceedings as the inquiries continue into the alleged plot to overthrow the government.
