Kampala, (UG):- The UPDF General Court Martial in Makindye has sent Private Suzan Adeke, a 26-year-old UPDF instructor to spend 18 months in prison after she was charged with assault of a recruit and causing bodily harm during a recent army recruitment exercise.
Pte Adeke, who serves at the Kaweweta Recruit Training School (KRTS) in Nakaseke District, pleaded guilty to the charge of assault causing actual bodily harm.
Brigadier General Robert Freeman Mugabe, Chairman of the General Court Martial, delivered the verdict on Monday, February 26, determining an appropriate sentence of eighteen months’ detention for Private Adeke.
Noting her status as a first-time offender, her plea of guilt, and her role as a mother to a young child, Gen. Mugabe adjusted the sentence to four months and seven days, factoring in time spent on remand and mitigating circumstances.
The conviction, under Section 236 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 120, carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment upon conviction.
State Prosecution led by Lt Col Raphael Mugisha, Lt Alex Mukhwana, Private Anthony Phillip Olupot, and Private Regina Nanzala contends that on February 12, 2023, while at KRTS in Nakaseke District, Adeke, in her capacity as an instructor, assaulted recruit Brenda Kisakye during a training exercise known as ‘Kipindi’, resulting in actual bodily harm.
Pte Adeke was represented at the court by Captain Simon Nsubuga Busagwa and Private Priscilla Kakande during the proceedings.
Brig Mugabe advised Ms Adeke that she could appeal the ruling if dissatisfied with the outcome.
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