Army Court Chairman/Judge Maj. Gen. Karuhanga E. Levi ordered security to stop handcuffing Col, Mande’s PRA & ADF’s financier & his accomplice, Hon. Kipoi N. Tony in court.
The culprits’ lawyer names withheld for security reasons, complained to the army court judge/Chairman, during the pre-trial that it’s unfair, unlawful & unconstitutional to try his clients in army court yet they’re civilians, & to be handcuffed, shackle their legs while in court & even in jail.
However, during the pre-trial of the suspects Pearl Petroleum proprietor, Mr. Sengooba K. Robert & Hon. Kipoi N. Tony, Ex Bubulo East lawmaker & their accomplices Col. E. Muzora, Col. S. Mande & others, the judge defended his decision of trying Kipoi & Sengooba, in army court arguing that army court based on sec 119 of the UPDF Act,2005, “that provides everyone found guilty of aiding, trafficking unauthorized army hardware or in possession of it or equipping the enemy & being a monopoly of the defence forces & it’s also contrary to sec 161 of the UPDF Act,2005” judge’s submission & defence reads apart.
On the issue of handcuffed & shackled, the GCM, Chairman said “he’s considering the issue of safety, i can allow to remove handcuffs, but the suspects legs should remain shackled please”
I also order that Hon. Kipoi & Mr. Sengooba be separated, though they’re on same file, I’ve realised their discomfort because this pre-trial it’s going to be long & Mr. Sengooba seem to be so weak.
However, the prosecution side led by RSA. Micheal Ariong said “they’ve Intel that the duo could flee from jail my lord”, we pray that this honourable court orders the accused to be handcuffed’
The defence lawyer of the suspects, asked the prosecutor, Ariong to elaborate more about their fear & where they got that false intel.
Ariong stood up & asked GCM judge that “my lord the security at Kololo Summit View, where Sengooba is caged isn’t guaranteed.
The duo Kipoi & Sengooba, clad in a checked stripped shirts, appeared before GCM, Chairman, Karuhanga & briefly charged with treason, alongside 6 army men, i.e. Col. E. Muzora & Col. S. Mande & others still at large Ex attaché to Kasijagirwa armoured brigade, Greater Masaka.
It’s alleged that the suspects & others still at large between 2006-2010 in diverse places of Kampala & it’s outskirts, Rubaga division, they convened a meeting at Sengooba’s Lusam INN hotel in Rubaga division & another meeting at same person’s Gas station, Bwera in Kasese district to recruit army, youths, policemen & other ex-police & army deserters to jeopardise the security of the country.
According to prosecution side, the culprits face treason which attracts a death penalty or life imprisonment, Bubulo East legislator HON. Kipoi is accused by the Uganda government of recruiting rebel groups well as his accomplice, Sengooba is accused of bank rolling ADF & PRA rebel groups based in Rwenzori Mountains, Bwindi forests & in Dr. Congo.
It should be noted that the Director Public Prosecutions, Richard Butera ordered Bank of Uganda to order CITI bank & UBA bank to froze Mr. Sengooba’s bank accounts, these banks have been doing fishy transactions which are liked to rebel groups, Government Deputy Spokesman Opolot Micheal added CITI & UBA banks are under scrutiny over their suspicious illicit transactions of illicit funds.
Mr. Sengooba has been ordered to return his family privileged acquired diplomatic pass, that of S. Africa & his land title at block 231,plot 231 Old Kampala, Off Nsaro-road, so that the court can see if they can allow him go for medical.
