I have never owned a gun, neither touched one, says Boda Boda 2010’s Kitatta
Boda Boda 2010 patron Abdalla Kitatta has on Monday started his defence in a case where he is accused of being found in possession of fire arms and military stores belonging to the army.
Kitatta who accepted to give evidence on oath meaning that he can be cross-examined by the state prosecutors took to the witness stand to narrate incidents leading to his arrest by operatives from the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) .
He said on the fateful day, he had gone to Vine Tea hotel along Wakaliga road where he usually held meetings as both the chairperson of the National Union of Drivers, Cyclists and Allied Workers and the NRM chairman for Lubaga district.
“While there, the army surrounded the hotel and before I knew, I heard someone knock on the door of a bathroom where I had gone to refresh myself,”Kitatta said.
He said by the time he was arrested, he didn’t have anything apart from his phones that were taken from him while still in the room adding that on reaching the hotel compound, he was searched and that nothing was found on him.
When asked on the allegations of being found with a golden pistol, the Boda Boda 2010 patron said it never belonged to him.
“I have never owned a gun neither have I ever touched one in my entire life. If possible, the army can use its capabilities to check if my body has ever touched a gun,”Ktatta said.
The army brought a number of witnesses and among them were CMI operatives and commanders who pinned Kitatta on being found in possession of an SMG rifle and two pistols found either with him in the hotel room or in his vehicle.
Private Richard Kasaija said during arrest, Kitatta was found in possession of a golden pistol with several rounds of ammunition as he hid in a hotel room toilet adding that another pistol and SMG rifle were found in his vehicle.
However, Kitatta told court which was filled to capacity that none of the officers who participated in his arrest had come to court to testify against him, adding that he didn’t know the witnesses presented by the army to pin him.
“The people they(army) brought here as witnesses had never appeared anywhere during the operation to arrest me,” he told court.
On the two guns he says were found in his vehicle, Kitatta said they belonged to Ngobi Sowali, his bodyguard provided to him by former Inspector General of Police, Gen.Kale Kayihura.
He explained that following threats on his life, he met with President Museveni who allegedly ordered Gen.Kayihura to handle his situation.
Kitatta arrogantly told court that he should not be asked about the issue of guns because he has never been a police or military officer, adding that Ngobi should be the one to answer questions in regards the guns.
When asked on the issue of military stores including army uniforms and caps found in the offices of Boda Boda 2010 group, Kitatta denied ever being a member of the group.
“I am not a member of boda boda 2010 neither am I a leader of boda boda 2010. For anything regarding boda boda 2010, ask Joel Kibirige,the chairman for boda boda riders in Lubaga division,”Kitatta told court.
Lt.Gen.Andrew Gutti, the General Court Martial chairman adjourned the case to January 21 for Kitatta to be cross-examined by the prosecution lawyers.
Kitatta is accused together with nine others including Ngobi Sowali,Ibrahim Ssekagya, Joel Kibirige, John Ssebandeke, Fred Bwanika,Hassan Ssematta,Amon Twinomujuni, Hussein Mugema of offences related to unlawful possession of military hardware and unlawful possession of a gun, pistol and ammunition.
They are accused of unlawful possession of 30 and 20 rounds of ammunition for SMG rifles and pistol respectively which are government stores contrary to section 161 of the UPDF Act.
The army also accuses the group of unlawful possession of military equipment including headgear and uniforms which are a monopoly of the defence forces.
