The General Court Martial in Makindye has ordered the remand of 31 individuals, comprising of police officers, soldiers, pastors, and civilians, over an alleged plot to overthrow the government.
Among those charged are high-ranking military personnel including Capt Denish Oola Oyaa, Lieutenant Benjamin Oduru, Warrant Officer II Oryek Sunday Jenaro, and Sergeant Bernard Morris Leku. The group also includes Corporals and Lance Corporals from various battalions, alongside civilians such as pastors, social workers, builders, teachers, and marketeers, among others.
The charges brought against them include treachery, as per section 129 (a) of the UPDF Act, 2005. The army prosecution alleges that between February 2022 and October 2023, the accused held meetings, recruited members, and established a rebel group, named Uganda Lords’ Salvation Army, with the intention of overthrowing the government. These activities are said to have taken place in diverse locations within and outside Uganda, including Lira, Masaka, Arua, Kampala cities, Bidi Bidi camp in Yumbe District, and Juba City in South Sudan.
Furthermore, the group is accused of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, in contravention of section 3 (1) (2) (a) of the firearms Act, after being found with an SMG rifle without a valid firearms license, along with 21 rounds of live ammunition.
Represented by Captain Simon Nsubuga Busagwa and Private Pricilla Kakande, the accused have denied the charges. Meanwhile, the army prosecutors have indicated that investigations into the matter are ongoing and have requested an adjournment.
In response, the army court chairman, Brig Robert Mugabe Freeman, has ordered the soldiers to be remanded to Makindye military prison, while the civilians have been sent to Kigo until January 22, 2024, for the mention of the case.
