The General Court Martial sitting in Makindye has remanded to jail Rubaga North Councillor – elect James Apollo Mubiru for a period of one month over unlawful possession of military attires.
A 30-year-old Mubiru, of the National Unity Platform, was on Monday arraigned before the army court and charged with illegal possession of red berets which by law are gazetted as military attire.
Court chaired by Lt Gen Andrew Gutti heard that on November 18,2020 while at Nankulabye, Mubiru was found putting on a red beret a monopoly of the armed forces contrary to section 164(i) of the UPDF Act 2005.
Mubiru however denied the charges but prosecution side insisted that investigations into the offence are still ongoing thus asked for more time to complete the same.
Court then remanded Mubiru to Makindye military barracks until April23, 2021.
However, before being remanded, Gutti questioned Mubiru’s detention in a military barracks yet he is not a soldier but the army prosecutor, Capt Ambrose Guma told court that being a lawyer, sending the accused to Kitalya government prison would be putting his life in danger.
In response, the army court chairman reasoned with the prosecutors that the National Unity Platform council be remanded to Makindye military barracks to ensure he is safe.
About two weeks ago, Mubiru was reportedly kidnapped by unknown men donned in plain clothes and others in police uniform at Kasubi market and had since gone missing.
Yesterday, blogs and social media platforms reported that the lawyer was feared dead at Nakasero hospital due to severe tortures meted on him by security in detention.
This prompted the youth in his division to take on streets carrying placards demanding for his immediate release dead or alive.
Despite many reports by the family, NUP party and electorates on the councillor’s kidnap, none of the security organs had come out to clarify on his whereabouts until today when he was arraigned before the General Court Martial.
