Army Court remands five soldiers for selling UPDF property in Somalia
Prosecution alleges that Onguti, Nuwasiimire, Kasaija, Kamukama, and Kasasira, while in Mogadishu, Somalia, around September and November 2024, improperly sold property of the Defence Forces, to wit: helmets, body armour, and empty magazines.
UPDF soldiers accused of selling the Forces’ helmets, body armour, and empty magazines while on mission in Mogadishu, Somalia in dock at the General Court Martial at Makindye in Kampala. They were charged with improper disposal of property contrary(Credit: Douglas Mubiru)
KAMPALA - Five Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers accused of selling the Forces’ helmets, body armour, and empty magazines while on mission in Mogadishu, Somalia, have been charged and remanded.
The five appeared before the General Court Martial (GCM), chaired by Col Frederick Kangwamu, alongside Col Nasser Drago Igambi and Maj. Abubaker Nyombi.
The soldiers, who all denied the offences, are: RA/234215 L/Cpl Michael Onguti, 35, a member of the Regular Forces of the UPDF, formerly under BGXXXIX as an armoury man; RA/240863 L/Cpl Burdens Nuwasiimire, 29, also formerly a rifleman under BGXXXIX; RA/225512 Pte David Aston Kasaija, 34, a former member of the Intelligence staff under BGXXXIX; RAV/141644 Pte Abias Kamukama, 50, an arms officer under Reserve Force BGXXXIX; and ROV/08936 Lt (Rtd) Gordon Kasasira, 55, a private security supervisor at PALMS Hotel Ltd and a resident of Rwampara District.
They were charged with one count of improper disposal of property contrary to Section 160 (a) of the UPDF Act Cap 330, as amended, which on conviction attracts a maximum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment.
Plea bargain
Prosecutors from the Office of the UPDF Director of Prosecutions informed the court that investigations were still ongoing and requested an adjournment, adding that they would also update court on the intended plea bargain the suspects wish to enter into with the state.
“My Lords, the accused intend to enter into a plea bargain with the state. So, we hope to brief court on the next adjournment of this case on how far we shall have reached. We, therefore, pray that the suspects be remanded at the Makindye Military Police Quarter Guard till March 31, 2026,” Captain Alex Mukhama told court.
A plea bargain is a negotiated arrangement in criminal proceedings where an accused person agrees to plead guilty to the charge in exchange for concessions from the prosecution, such as reduced charges or a lighter sentence.
The defence, led by Elizabeth Nyasingwa and Captain Daniel Kagombe, concurred with the prosecution’s submission regarding the plea bargain intentions of their clients.
This prompted Col Kangwamu to adjourn the case to March 31, 2026, for mention.
Prosecution alleges that Onguti, Nuwasimire, Kasaija, Kamukama, and Kasasira, while in Mogadishu, Somalia, between September and November 2024, improperly sold property of the Defence Forces, namely helmets, body armour, and empty magazines.