Five people have been charged over the recent murder of mobile money agents.
The five, including three Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) deserters, were charged before the army court in Makindye, Kampala.
Privates Bob Anichan, Dennis Mangusho, Lance Corporal Edward Mubale, Stanley Mulunda, a casual laborer and Issa Ntale, a bodaboda rider, appeared before the court on Tuesday. They face charges of murder, aggravated robbery, attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
Documents indicate that Anichan and Mangusho were dismissed from the UPDF after being convicted of a series of robberies. Anichan had just been released from prison after serving a 14-year-jail term.
Ntale allegedly trailed the victims and transported the assailants. The offenses are capital in nature and attract, on conviction, a sentence of death or life imprisonment. State prosecutor Lt Col Raphael Mugisha told the court that investigations into the matter were completed.
“Investigations into the matter are complete and the other remaining suspect Pte Dennis Byaruhanga has also been arrested. I, therefore, pray that the case be fixed for hearing,” Mugisha said.
The prosecution says the accused, and others still at large, on June 10, at Bunamwaya-Zzana, with malice aforethought, shot dead mobile money agent Harriet Nalwadda and robbed her of sh6.8m. Nalwadda and her employee, Maureen Nakabuubi, were killed by five suspected robbers riding on three motorcycles in Zzana trading center as they were heading home.
Zzana is 8km along the KampalaEntebbe highway. The accused also allegedly shot dead Sgt. Fred Chemonges and Edward Walugembe of Church zone in Nateete. Chemonges was killed on May 16 at Namwasi in Mbale district.
It is also said they attempted to murder PC James Okware. They are also accused of robbing Mwesigwa Kigongo of sh400,000 and his Samsung mobile phone on May 14. The prosecution further says the suspects and others still at large, on June 11 at Masanafu Zone in Rubaga division, Kampala, were also found in unlawful possession of an SMG gun and two magazines with 31 rounds of ammunition.
The accused denied all the charges before the seven-member panel chaired by the General Court Martial chairman, Lt. Gen Andrew Gutti.