General court martial dispenses justice in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces (UPDF) General Court Martial (GCM) which traditionally conducts business at Makindye army barracks in Uganda, is currently holding court sessions in Mogadishu the capital city of Somalia.

A statement issued by UPDF deputy spokesman, Colonel Deo Akiki from Somalia on Tuesday said that the General Court Martial under the Chairmanship of Brigadier General Robert Freeman Mugabe has now spent one week at Sector One Contingent headquarters trying UPDF personnel keeping peace in Somalia alleged to have committed capital offenses.

The GCM so far is hearing a case involving two senior officers at the rank of major, who are charged with two counts; cowardice in action contrary to section 120 (1) (2) (a) of the UPDF Act 2005 and count two; Offenses by persons in command when in action contrary to section 128 (1) (b) of the UPDF Act of 2005.

Particulars of the offenses state that Major Steven Oluka 47 years and Major Zadock Obor on or around the 25th to 27th of May 2023, while deployed as Officer Commanding companies in Bulomarer and Golweyne, did not encourage officers and militants under their command to fight courageously upon coming into contact with Alshabaab.

Other cases that the GCM is trying include; failure to protect war materials in contrast to section 122 (1) (2) (h) of the UPDF Act which involves four Commissioned Officers (NCOs).

When asked why GCM relocated to Mogadishu, Brigadier Gen Freeman Mugabe said, they decided to sit at Basecamp-Mogadishu to access witnesses in the cases since most of them were in the mission area.

“Secondly, the General Court Martial has jurisdiction to try cases anywhere in and outside Uganda where UPDF is operating,” said Brigadier General Mugabe. He added that according to the UPDF Act of 2005, the GCM has jurisdiction to try cases that are capital in nature.

Brigadier General Freeman Mugabe further explained that according to the Memorandum of Understanding and the Status of Forces Agreement with the Host nation Somalia, each Troop troop-contributing country has to try her own personnel while in the mission area. As UPDF General Court Martial tries such, crimes committed by UPDF personnel.

The GCM will be in Somalia for two weeks hearing cases and at the end of the sessions, those who will be found guilty will be given appropriate sentences and those found not guilty will be acquitted. However, judgments will depend on the circumstances under which the offenses were committed and the evidence to be brought to court.

GAROWE ONLINE