I am not guilty, Kitatta tells Court Martial as he finally takes plea

Kampala, Uganda | GODFREY SSALI | The patron of Boda-Boda 2010 Abdallah Kitatta has finally pleaded not guilty at the Makindye-based Court Martial to the offences of unlawful possession of military hardware plus five counts including the possession of military head gears and uniforms. He has now been transferred from Luzira and remanded at Makindye Military police barracks.

The trial of Kitatta, also Rubaga NRM chairman, and 11 others, resumed Tuesday before the General Court Martial in Makindye chaired by Lt. Gen Andrew Gutti.

Prosecution alleges that the accused on January 21, 2018, while at Vine Hotel, located at Wakaliga, in a motor vehicle Reg No. UAK 135 B, were found in possession of a sub-machine gun without holding a valid firearms certificate.

Besides Kitatta, the other accused persons are Sowali Ngobi, Amon Twinomujuni, Joel Kibirige, Matia Ssenfuka, Hassan Sebatta, Johnson Kayondo, Hassan Sengooba, Sunday Ssemwogerere, John Ssebandeke, Hussein Mugema, Fred Bwanika and Ibrahim Ssekajja. Kitatta’s co-accused have been sent back to Luzira prison until the February 19, 2018.

Kitatta and his co-accused who last week refused to take plea to the charges saying they are not military officers to be charged before an Army Court, on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to the offences.

Their plea also follows an earlier warning by the court’s Chairman Lt. Gen. Gutti about a serious decision he may be forced to take regarding the their refusal to take plea which he felt would tantamount to contempt of court

They are represented by Lawyer Shaban Sanywa who informed court that his clients were today willing to enter plea and be tried in this court.