UPDF Court Martial Sentences A Soldier To 35 Years For Desertion
The 3 Division Court Martial (DCM) of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) sat at Moroto army barracks tried RA/200628 Private Abraham Engwedu ,44 years old and was sentenced to 35 years for desertion contrary to section 146 of the UPDF Act 07 of 2005.
The court heard that Private Engwedu Abraham formally attached to the 19 Infantry Battalion, while armed escaped from his unit in November 2006 in Matany detach ,Napak district and will serve the sentence in Moroto Government Prison.
Its said that Egwedu stayed at his home in Kalaki district until he was arrested and the government stores were recovered by security team.
In a separate case, the court which convened for three days also has dismissed with disgrace from service RA/211981 Private Jarili Stephen of 3 Division headquarters who was attached to Mount Elgon Conservation Area under Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Jarili requested and got a 14 days pass leave from his duty station in Mbale on 4th Sept 2017 and only reported back on 23rd February 2023, a period which rendered him Abseight Without Official Leave (AWOL)and duo were convicted to their own plea of guilty.
Pronouncing the verdict ,Colonel Francis Kateraho the 3 DCM Chairman noted that sentence is to deter other would-be offenders from doing the same acts stating that desertion being one of the service offences will not be tolerated.
The court however gave them 14 days to appeal the sentence in case they are not satisfied with the judgement.
