The hearing of the case in which 44 ex- M23 combatants are facing charges of illegal entry into Uganda and illegal possession of fire arms while on Ugandan land, yesterday failed to kick off before the Kabale chief magistrates court.
Prosecution led by Batson Baguma, the Kabale State Attorney alleges that on 22nd February 2016, the 44 were intercepted by Ugandan security at Busanza in Kisoro District, after crossing from neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo without travel documents.
They were also found in possession of 5 SMGs, 1 PK riffle and 160 rounds of ammunition. 38 of them are said to have escaped from Bihanga army barracks while two joined on the way according to prosecution.
18 of the accused are ranked from Captain to Lieutenant and the rest have lower ranks of sergeant and corporal. They were arrested and taken to UPDF 35 battalion in Kisoro for detention.
On 23rd April 2017, the suspects appeared before the Kabale Chief Magistrates Court and were remanded to Ndorwa Government Prison in Kabale District until Wednesday when they re-appeared for the case hearing to kick off.
However, their lawyer Justus Muhangi of Muhangi and Company Advocates asked court to extend the hearing saying he still needed time to thoroughly read through case files of the accused.
Magistrate Moses Kagoda Ntende, granted the request and adjourned the case until 25th April this year, before remanding the suspects back to Ndorwa Government Prison.
Speaking to journalists after the court session, Major Peter Mugisha, the Second Division Uganda People’s Defense Forces Spokesperson, said the army wants court to give ex-combatants a heavy punishment so that others can learn from them.