UPDF soldier sentenced to 50 years imprisonment over murder, robbery

The divisional court martial sitting in Ssembabule has sentenced a UPDF soldier to 50 years imprisonment after pleading guilty to robbery and murder of several people.

Private Paul Sserugo, an army deserter who was attached to the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) marines was part of the gang that terrorised residents in Sembabule, Rakai, Lyantonde, Lwengo, and Masaka districts in March last year.

He was arrested together with Joseph Byakatonda and Matia Kawadwa before being arraigned before the court-martial.

On Thursday, the Sserugo and Kawadwa admitted the charges against them.

“I have heard the charges and I plead guilty,”Sserugo said on Thursday during a court session that sat at Ntete village in Ssembabule district and attended by locals.

According to evidence produced, the group at the beginning of last year attacked a shop at Ntete trading centre and shot dead one Kemirembe and Walugembe dead.

They also shot dead Ibrahim Mwanje and Allen Komugisha of Kachera village in Rakai district as their gang terrorised greater Masaka areas.

50 years jail

The court chairman, Col Sam Mugenyi sentenced each of the two people to 50 years for each of the offences but said they would run concurrently.

“You are hereby sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 50 years for each offence but to be served concurrently,” Col.Mugyenyi said during his the court session.

The army court also sentenced the duo’s accomplices including Simon Byakatonda and Julius Nsaba to 60 years imprisonment over the same offence but explained that the two had wasted court’s time by not pleading guilty yet there was incriminating evidence against them.

Issues stern warning

According to a report released by the Inspector General of Police, Martin Okoth Ochola recently, the group led  by Sserugo, an army deserter was responsible for the criminality in the greater Masaka areas of  Ssembabule, Rakai, Lyantonde, Lwengo and Masaka districts.

The group was using an SMG rifle that they had stolen from a Police officer in Rakai and killed two UPDF soldiers before taking off with their rifles in Masaka last July.

The court chairman, Col.Sam Mugyenyi issued a stern warning against gangs terrorizing members of the public that they would be dealt with ruthlessly.

“This should serve as a message to those attacking and killing people that there are those who believe in law and order. If they think they have power, there are those who have more power than them. I would advise them to repent,”Col.Mugyenyi said amid cheers from members of the public who attended the open court proceedings.

The post UPDF soldier sentenced to 50 years imprisonment over murder, robbery appeared first on Nile Post.