The General Court Martial in Makindye has remanded 31 people including police officers, UPDF soldiers and pastors among others for plotting to overthrow government.
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 were on Tuesday arraigned before the army court in Makindye alongside civilians
The civilians included 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.
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.
They were allegedly found with an SMG rifle and 21 rounds of live ammunition without a valid firearms licence.
The group was represented by Captain Simon Nsubuga Busagwa and Private Pricilla Kakande and they denied the charges against them.
The state prosecutors including Lt Col Raphael Mugisha, Lt Alex Lasto Mukhwana, and Private Regina Nanzala told court that investigations into the matter are still ongoing and asked for more time.
The army court chairman, Brig Robert Freeman Mugabe remanded the group until January, 22, 2024 when they return for mention of their case.
