Army court gives strict bail terms to police officers, civilians accused of revealing security secrets
The General Court Martial in Makindye has released on bail, four of the twelve people accused of revealing secrets related to Uganda’s security.
On Tuesday, the army court released Inspector of Police Peter Ayebare, attached to Cyber Crime Unit at Naguru Police headquarters, Detective Constable Tadeo Judas Opendo, attached to Special Investigations Division at Kireka, Silver Olinga Elwelu , a cleaner and Moses Kasiba(army informer) on bail.
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Strict terms
The army chairman, Lt.Gen.Andrew Gutti ruled that the offences against the four are bailable and that despite being capital in nature, it was the accused’s right to be released on bail after producing substantial sureties.
Lt.Gen.Gutti, however, issued strict conditions to be fulfilled by the four people released on bail.
“You should not move beyond Kampala without seeking permission from court. You are required to report to the court’s registrar twice a month,” the army court ordered the group.
They were released on a shs10 million non- cash bond for each of the four accused people whereas each of their sureties was asked to part with shs3 million non-cash.
Lt.Gen.Gutti however warned them that breach of any of the terms would lead to cancellation of their bail.
Suspects
The 12 suspects include IP Peter Ayebare attached to the Cyber Crime unit at the Police headquarters in Naguru, Detective Constable Tadeo Judas Opendo, attached to the Special Investigations Division in Kireka, Martin Kimbowa, attached to the police witness protection unit, Swadafi Marutre, attached to police headquarters and Felix Oyugi, a Counter-Terrorism police officer attached to Entebbe Airport.
Others were Corporal Abdalla Ajobe an SFC officer attached to Nakasero state lodge, Private Paul Okweny, an engineer in SFC , Private Henry Obong(SFC), Wilson Atekateka(resident of Lukuli in Makindye), Moses Kasiba(army informer),Difas Nyindo, a mechanic and Silver Olinga Elwelu , a cleaner.
The 12 are part of the group of police and army officers who were close to the former Inspector General of Police, Gen.Kale Kayihura and were arrested last year.
The Charges
The 12 people including five police officers, three Special Forces Command soldiers and civilians are accused of offences related to revealing security information related to Uganda’s security.
They are accused of offences related to security contrary to section 130(1) of the UPDF Act 2005.
Prosecution alleges that the accused between the months of March and September 2018 in the areas of Kampala and Wakiso held meetings to recruit civilians and soldiers into subversive activities of overthrowing government.
These charges relate to trying to overthrow government by putting security at risk.
According to section 130(1) of the UPDF Act 2005, a person subject to military law commits an offence by;
(a) Disclosing by word of mouth or by document, confidential information to the enemy or to unauthorized members of the defence forces or the public.
(b) Talking about or discusses any confidential information in unauthorized places or with authorized persons within hearing distance of unauthorized persons.
(c) Giving a parole, watchword, password, countersign or identification signal different from that which he or she received or without authority, alters or interferes with any identification or other signal; commits an offence and is, on conviction, liable to imprisonment not exceeding five years.
