Prosecution has closed its submissions in its case against Abdallah Kitatta, the patron of Boda Boda 2010 and 12 other co-accused.
Kitatta is accused alongside other suspects; Matia Ssenfuka, Joel Kibirige, Hassan Ssemata, Jonathan Kayondo, Ssengooba Hassan, Sande Ssemwogerere, John Ssebandeke, Hussein Mugema, Fred Bwanika and Amon Twinomujuni.
The group is charged with illegal possession of firearms, a preserve of the army. They were found in possession of two pistols, an AK-47 rifle, 55 rounds of ammunition and four uniforms belonging to Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF).
The suspects were arrested from Busega and Wakaliga in Rubaga Division on January 19, 2018. They pleaded not guilty to the charges. This afternoon, prosecution led by Maj Raphael Mugisha closed its submission, saying the remaining witnesses had collaborative evidence.
Mugisha told the General Court Martial chaired by Lt Gen Andrew Gutti that they only wanted to present the investigating officer in addition to the four state witnesses who testified against the accused. He however, said they discovered that his testimony was similar to four witnesses and therefore decided to close their submissions.
The state had initially promised to bring 13 witnesses. The prosecution witnesses include private Richard Kasaija, one of the nine operatives who picked up the suspects. While appearing before court, Kasaija paraded a golden pistol, an AK-47 rifle, UPDF uniforms and 55 bullets purportedly recovered from Vine Hotel Wakaliga and the offices of Boda Boda 2010.
Kasaija explained that he was assigned to pick one of the accused persons in connection to the murder of Francis Ekalungar, the former accountant of Case Hospital.
The group is charged with illegal possession of firearms, a preserve of the army. They were found in possession of two pistols, an AK-47 rifle, 55 rounds of ammunition and four uniforms belonging to Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF).
The suspects were arrested from Busega and Wakaliga in Rubaga Division on January 19, 2018. They pleaded not guilty to the charges. This afternoon, prosecution led by Maj Raphael Mugisha closed its submission, saying the remaining witnesses had collaborative evidence.
Mugisha told the General Court Martial chaired by Lt Gen Andrew Gutti that they only wanted to present the investigating officer in addition to the four state witnesses who testified against the accused. He however, said they discovered that his testimony was similar to four witnesses and therefore decided to close their submissions.
The state had initially promised to bring 13 witnesses. The prosecution witnesses include private Richard Kasaija, one of the nine operatives who picked up the suspects. While appearing before court, Kasaija paraded a golden pistol, an AK-47 rifle, UPDF uniforms and 55 bullets purportedly recovered from Vine Hotel Wakaliga and the offices of Boda Boda 2010.
Kasaija explained that he was assigned to pick one of the accused persons in connection to the murder of Francis Ekalungar, the former accountant of Case Hospital.
According to Kasaija, he received instructions a day before to arrest Kitatta from King Fahad Plaza in Kampala. Kitatta was later picked up from Vine Hotel Wakaliga after being tracked down by the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence using his cellphone.
Kasaija said Boda Boda 2010 riders turned rowdy shortly after Kitatta's arrest and started pelting the arresting officers with stones leading to several more other arrests. Other witnesses included corporal Richard Wanyama, a detective from CMI attached to the directorate of counter terrorism, Maj David Agaba, the former CMI operations commander and corporal Alex Baguma.
Lt. Gen Gutti had directed the defense to file written submissions to explain why the case should be judged in favour of the accused persons.
Defense lawyer, Shaban Sanywa said that he will mainly rely on evidence from CCTV footage to defend his clients. He however, expressed disappointment that the prosecution has closed the case without the evidence from investigating officer.
Court shall resume on November 26 to hear submissions from the defense.
Kasaija said Boda Boda 2010 riders turned rowdy shortly after Kitatta's arrest and started pelting the arresting officers with stones leading to several more other arrests. Other witnesses included corporal Richard Wanyama, a detective from CMI attached to the directorate of counter terrorism, Maj David Agaba, the former CMI operations commander and corporal Alex Baguma.
Lt. Gen Gutti had directed the defense to file written submissions to explain why the case should be judged in favour of the accused persons.
Defense lawyer, Shaban Sanywa said that he will mainly rely on evidence from CCTV footage to defend his clients. He however, expressed disappointment that the prosecution has closed the case without the evidence from investigating officer.
Court shall resume on November 26 to hear submissions from the defense.
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