UPDF to compensate families
The First Division Infantry Court-Martial sitting at Kakiri Barracks in Wakiso district has directed the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) to compensate families of two civilians killed by its officers.
This comes after the Court martial chaired by Col. Sam Mugenyi sentenced a Local Defense Unit (LDU) officer and (UPDF) Lance Corporal to 35 years and life imprisonment respectively for killing protesters during the November 18 and 19, 2020 Kampala riots.
More than 50 people were killed in the November 2020 riots triggered by the arrest of the National Unity Platform presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine in Luuka district.
UPDF to compensate families
The security officers include Mustafa Ssali, the LDU officer who was accused of killing Ibrahim Mutaasa Kirevu, a mechanic at Wandegeya police station, and UPDF Lance Corporal Augustine Mugisha who shot to death Grace Walungama, a mechanic at a garage in Lugala, Kosovo in Lubaga division before turning his gun against Hussein Ssenoga, an LDU personnel.
The prosecution contends that Kirevu was arrested at Wandegeya police station where he went to collect money from someone. When police brought in rioters, Kirevu was asked to join them and enter the cells but he resisted.
Walungama was standing by the roadside as he watched the rioters.He was later followed to the garage by Lance Corporal Mugisha who shot and killed him instantly.
The Court martial chaired by Col. Sam Mugenyi, found them guilty of murder. He has directed the families of Ssenoga and Walungama to approach the UPDF offices for compensation.
“The UPDF will support the families of the bereaved and offer a supporting hand and if there are any family members to the deceased here please contact us” Col Mugenyi said
