Apaa Conflict: Embattled UPDF’s Maj Kibuuka committed to Court Martial for trial

ADJUMANI, UGANDA: The UPDF 4^th Division Unit Disciplinary Court on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, committed Major Travers Kibuuka, the former 2^nd in command UPDF 71^st battalion and commander Zoka sector to the Division Court Martial to answer to counts of Assault occasioning actual bodily harm and Insubordinate behaviour.

During the court session held at the 4th Division headquarters, the Disciplinary court chaired by Lt. Col Matua Kregg was informed by the prosecutors on behalf of the DPP that the accused persons are male adults’ senior officers of the UPDF and of sound mind aged 38. He Kibuuka is second in command of the 71 Battalion and a soldier of UPDF attached to the 71st Battalion and is therefore jointly charged.

The particulars of the offence are that RO/11012 Major Kibuuka and RA/270163 PTE(Private) Mawa Yusuf on or around the 9^th day of April 2023 while at Apaa village, Itirikwa Sub-county, Adjumani district the accused persons assaulted Ms Anzoa Juliet and Ms Lokua Beatrice causing them serious body injuries contrary to section 236 of the penal code Act Cap 120.

On count two RO/11012 Major Trever Kibuuka on or around the 9^th day of April 2023 while at Apaa village, Itirikwa sub-county in Adjumani district underlooked his supervisor, Commanding officer 71 battalion and deployed troops without informing him contrary to section 36 of the UPDF Act number 7/2005.

The chairman of the Unit Disciplinary Court Lt Col.Matua however advised Major Kibuuka and Private Mawa not to enter any plea since the offences is triable by the Division Court Martial chaired by Col. (Colonel). Nambafu and remanded the accused persons to Gulu city government prison till July 11, 2023, when they will appear for plea.

In April 2023, the Adjumani district chairman Mr Anyama Ben petitioned the commander 4^th Division to permit the military court martial to try Major Trever and his co-accused person in Adjumani court so justice for the victims is witnessed and appreciated by the populace in Adjumani.

The embattled Major Trevor Kibuuka was withdrawn from Zoka UPDF barracks on April 11, 2023, following the alleged torture of two women and 9 men over a land feud.

However, he has since then denied any wrongdoing and instead went on to threaten to sue DailyExpress, an online publication and its senior reporter Amacha Goli in Gulu high court for defamation after the publication broke the news of torturing women by UPDF soldiers in Zoka Central.

The UPDF 4^th Division public relations officer Maj. Telespher Byamumanya feigned about the Unit Disciplinary Court “Am not aware of the said Disciplinary Court session”.

The Madi Paramount Chief Drani Stephen who was accused alongside was charged with attempted murder and assault and remanded to Openzinzi prison but was late released on court bail.

The DPP Jane Frances Abodo last month announced she had dropped all the charges brought against the chief for lack of evidence.