In November 2020 riots, many people lost their lives and others got serious injuries and this is where 2 UPDF soldiers have been imprisoned for charges connected to these murders.
This has been a court ruling of the UPDF First Division Court Martial sitting in Kakiri in Wakiso where the twohave been charged for the murder of 3 people including 2 civilians during that period.
The two include LDU operative Salim Mustafa and Lance Corporal Augustine Mugisha.
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Court sentenced them to 35 years and life in prison respectively by the First Division Court Martial Chairperson Col. Sam Mugyenyi.
In the riots that rocked Kampala and several parts of the central region on 18th and 19th November 2021, 54 people were shot dead after Presidential Candidate Robert Kyagulanyi had been arrested while on the campaign trail.
Salim was accused of killing Ibrahim Mutaasa who was a detainee at Wandegeya police station as one of the suspects of the November 2020 riots.
According to the evidence prevailed, Salim was asked by the Wandegeya Police station in-charge to escort Mutaasa to his cell together with Detective Constable Mike Otada.
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“The late Mutaasa Ibrahim first resisted being taken to the cells. According to the evidence, there was an exchange of ‘hot words’ between the accused and the deceased. Later, the accused forcefully grabbed the deceased by the neck and started pushing him. The deceased was already in custody. Was it necessary to use the gun when you are 2 soldiers escorting the deceased to a cell,” Col Sam Mugyenyi told the court.
“He only realized that the safety part of his gun was open and the bullet that killed the victim was accidentally released. The law makes an accident and absolute defence,” defence lawyer Mariam Kesiime told the court-martial.
On other hand, Lance Corporal Augustine Mugisha, who was accused of shooting two people including an LDU officer, was brought in after the sentencing of Mustafa.
The deceased are LDU Hussein Ssenoga and a civilian, Grace Walungama. It is said he shot the two at Ssempijja Auto Garage in Lubaga, Kampala.
According to evidence brought to the court, Mugisha is accused of having ordered Ssenoga to shoot.
Col Mugyenyi also found Mugisha guilty of murder. Mugisha has been sentenced to life imprisonment at a government facility.
The two imprisoned UPDF soldiers apologized to the relatives of the deceased for the delayed justice and asked them to reach out to the UPDF for compensation.
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