Kampala, (UG):- Ugandan Veteran opposition figure, Dr Kizza Besigye and his co-accused Hajj Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya have been slapped with more charges of treachery after State Prosecution Monday applied to amend the charge sheet against the duo.
The two who are currently on remand at Luzira Maximum Prison on charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition today appeared before the General Court Martial at Makindye for further mention of their case.
State prosecution, led by Colonel Raphael Mugisha, told Court Chairman, Brigadier Freeman Mugabe that they (government) are seeking to add a new offence of treachery with a UPDF soldier, Captain Denis Ola, attached to the Armoured Brigade, as an additional accused.
“During the course of investigations, some facts were that there is a serving UPDF officer who is connected to the office. So we intend to have the charge sheet amended by the addition of that officer,” Col Mugisha told the court.
“And we also intend to amend the charge sheet by adding there another count of treachery. So, those are the two amendments we are seeking to amend,” he added.
However, the defence team, led by ex-Kenyan Justice Minister, Ms Martha Karua objected to the move, citing a pending ruling on the General Court Martial’s jurisdiction to try civilians.
“We feel that amending to add a person who is serving in the military is meant to preempt the ruling on jurisdiction because, in our view, the court has no jurisdiction on these two gentlemen (Besigye and Lutale),” Karua told the court.
“And we seek that the ruling precedes the amendment of the charges when we then can raise a full objection because the charges in the amendment are not sought properly pursuant to the rules of procedure,” she added.
The army court chairman, Brig. Freeman Mugabe dishonoured Karua’s request saying the court martial already ruled having the jurisdiction to try civilians.
This is not the first time Dr. Besigye has been arraigned before the Court Martial. In 2006, he was charged with treason, rape, and concealment of treason. However, the charges were dismissed.
Since his declaration for the presidency, Besigye has faced numerous charges in several courts across the country, though no conviction has been obtained. He has consistently accused the state of politically motivated persecution rather than prosecution.
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