The Uganda People’s Defense Forces General Headquarter Division Court Martial (DCM) sitting in Buliisa district has sentenced to 90yrs in prison its own officer for shooting and killing his commander.
The suspect identified as RA/241764 Pte Rubagumya Cephas, an officer at Mulima detach Marine Brigade in Bullisa district was found guilty of shooting and killing his Commander RA/205293 Lance Corporal Busingye Benaerd contrary to sections 188 and 189 of the penal code act chapter 120 of the laws of Uganda.
According to the prosecution led by Maj. Gerald Bamwitirsbwe, it is alleged that Rubagumya committed the acts on May27,2020, when he had a heated quarrel with Busingye.
The prosecution noted that on that fateful day, Rubagumya left Mulima detach for Hoima town towithdraw his salary and upon return to the camp a quarrel a roused between him and the Commander, Out of the blue, he (Pte Rubagumya) rushed into his house picked a gun and ordered lance corporal Businge to sit down which he did while crying for mercies but all feel in deaf ears.
Prosecutors said Rubagumya shot and killed Businge in a cold blood with malice aforethought.
RA/240969 Pte Ochero Joseph and RA/239190 Pte Chebet Flouk, the witnesses who were deployed at the scene on that date told court that Pte Rubagumya shot 10 bullets at Businge after a heated quarrel.
Court chaired by Col Edison Muhanguzi, found Pte Rubagumya guilty of the offences and sentenced him to 90yrs in prison.
Col Edison Muhanguzi, while reading a sentence said it should serve as a warning to all officers and men of the UPDF.
“This sentence should serve as a warning to all gallant officers and men of the UPDF especially the Marine Brigade,” he noted.
Thesuspect was ordered to appeal for a reduction of the punishment within a period of not less than 14days.
